Transportation safety: Government united on Zero ODOL
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Bisnis Indonesia - Keselamatan transportasi: Pemerintah satu suara di zero ODOL
20 February 2025
By Lukman Nur Hakim
The government will soon implement a policy to eliminate over-dimension and overloading (ODOL) vehicles to enhance traffic safety.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the decision to implement zero ODOL freight transportation vehicles was made in collaboration with the Industry Ministry.
“We have agreed that the implementation of zero ODOL will commence immediately,” he said after meeting with Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta on Wednesday (19/2).
Dudy expressed his appreciation for the Industry Ministry's agreement to implement the zero ODOL policy on roads.
He mentioned that the policy is ready for implementation, following public complaints about ODOL trucks.
“This reflects our commitment from both the Industry Ministry and the Transportation Ministry to ensure safety, particularly in land transportation, rather than just providing services,” he stated.
Regarding the implementation, Dudy mentioned that the Transportation Ministry and the Industry Ministry will collaborate with other stakeholders to enforce the zero ODOL policy.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasised that the zero ODOL policy must be implemented promptly.
“There are many considerations that we will propose. However, the key point is that the zero ODOL policy must be implemented soon,” Agus said.
Indonesia Toll Road Watch (ITRW) Coordinator Deddy Herlambang noted that implementing the zero ODOL policy poses challenges for several industries.
This is because several ODOL trucks transport products from factories and distributors.
He stated that numerous parties still object to the implementation of the zero ODOL policy, as it can lead to increased product prices.
“If the Industry Ministry objects to ODOL vehicles, the government must provide subsidies for logistics transportation, particularly for the transport of basic necessities, to maintain consumer prices,” Deddy said to Bisnis recently.
On repeat
Deddy emphasised that ODOL trucks continue to pose a road safety risk, as traffic accidents involving these vehicles occur daily.
However, he believes that truck drivers are unfairly blamed, while transportation companies, freight owners, and the government also neglect road safety.
“The drivers and trucks with brake failures are always scapegoated. Other stakeholders remain untouched, despite their involvement,” he stated.
Dedy said that the government must address not only the technical aspects of accidents, such as brake failures, but also the upstream parties involved.
Additionally, he explained that Indonesia is experiencing a road safety crisis.
Data from the Traffic Corps of the Indonesian National Police for 2024 revealed that four people die every hour due to road accidents, not to mention those who are lightly or severely injured, or paralysed.
“The safety aspect within the Transportation Ministry and the Public Works Ministry cannot be compromised, even for budget efficiency,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Indonesia Transportation Society (MTI) stated that President Prabowo must get involved to address the ODOL truck issue, which remains a significant and systemic problem.
MTI Chairperson Tory Darmantoro stated that the President must prioritise the ODOL truck issue, as it is a complex problem.
“There is a pervasive and ongoing system of neglect. The President must address the safety of ODOL trucks, especially if Prabowo genuinely cares about his people,” Tory said to Bisnis.
Tory believes that the justification for businesses using ODOL trucks to facilitate their distribution and effectiveness is fabricated.
“MTI views this as a fabricated reason. Look at our neighbours, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; they do not have ODOL trucks, yet their industries are thriving. Indonesia’s industries are spoiled; they only seek to benefit themselves,” he stated.
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