Traffic accidents fall drastically during pandemic in S Kalimantan

A member of South Kalimantan Police's Directorate of Traffic hands out a mask to a two-wheeled rider in Banjarmasin. (ANTARA/Firman)

Of course we are grateful for the decline. It does not mean we are happy with the pandemic. It is hoped the pandemic will end and the people will become more orderly in traffic,

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Traffic accidents (laka lantas) in South Kalimantan have drastically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to 2019.

Director of South Kalimantan Police' Directorate of Traffic Sr Comr (Kombes) Andi Azis Nizar said that from January to August 2020, 391 traffic accidents were recorded with 181 dead 66 seriously injured.

"Compared to 2019, the decline is far from 806 incidents with 383 death tolls," he said here, Friday.

According to Andi, the decline in traffic accidents was in line with the decline in people's mobility on the highway during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB) has significantly reduced traffic in some areas.

"Of course we are grateful for the decline. It does not mean we are happy with the pandemic. It is hoped the pandemic will end and the people will become more orderly in traffic," he said.

Andi hoped the COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on the culture of orderly traffic among the community. Not only is the pandemic that is life-threatening, traffic accident is also frightening if riders neglect to obey the orderliness on the highway.