Officials in Bali have confirmed that they will be working to improve road safety on Bali’s most accident-prone roads.
The news comes after a tragic traffic collision took place on the Singaraja-Denpasar Highway on Saturday, 26th April, where two young siblings were killed.
On Saturday, 26th April, Gede Krisna Ari Putra, aged 20, and his younger sister, Komang Karna Angga Wijaya, aged 8, both died after their motorcycle collided with an oncoming bus.
The loss has shocked communities across Bali and a fundraiser has been launched to help raise money to support the sibling’s family in paying for a funeral.
The Head of the Traffic Unit of Buleleng Police, AKP Bachtiar Arifin, has spoken to reporters revealing further details of the incident and confirming steps the Buleleng Police are taking to help improve safety on the roads in the area.
The Singaraja-Denpasar Highway is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in Bali. The province’s roads are statistically amongst the most dangerous in Indonesia, frequently ranking among the top three provinces for traffic collisions annually.
AKP Arifin issued an update to reporters regarding Saturday’s crash, he shared “There has been no suspect determination. Currently, the bus driver is under investigation.”
AKP Arifin took the opportunity to inform reporters about plans to improve road safety in the area, noting “Our plan is to coordinate with the Transportation Agency to help install street lights around the route.”
The Head of Buleleng Transportation Agency, Gede Gunawan Adnyana Putra, confirmed that new signage will be installed along the Singaraja-Denpasar Highway warning road users of the dangers of the route.
Putra told reporters “We will provide information to the road office because there are consecutive traffic accidents here and it is dangerous. From the results of the consultation, what kind of signs are appropriate to be installed, so that people are more careful in driving? We will try to propose whether a warning light or a caution sign or a crowd sign.”
With regards to the fundraiser, Ary Ulangun confirmed that that IDR 100 million had been fundraised for the family of Gede and Komang.
Ulangun worked with Ten Thousands Dreams Foundation to collect donations which have been handed over to the family. He told reporters “We never cut donations . Even if there are funds left over, all of them will still be given to be used by the family. Considering that they are indeed a poor family.”
Tourists planning vacations to Bali must be aware that the island’s roads are notoriously dangerous. While traffic officers are often stationed in highly congested areas to help manage traffic flow, every day there are serious traffic collisions reported across the island.
Tourists who are keen to explore Bali by motorcycle must ensure that they wear a helmet and suitable clothing while driving. It is a legal requirement to wear a helmet and proper shoes while driving a motorcycle in Bali, despite many drivers choosing not to.
Tourists who are caught driving without a helmet may face fines, or criminal prosecution as the province continues its ‘no mercy’ approach to foreigners breaking the rules.
Travelers in Bali who are planning on renting and driving a motorcycle must make sure that they have the correct driving license, remembering that car driving licenses do not automatically license drivers to use motorcycles, especially not motorcycles over 125cc which is most mopeds in Bali.
The standard Honda Scoopy moped is 125cc and therefore most countries in the world require a specialist motorcycle driving license, including Indonesia. Tourists should be sure that they have a full international driving license.
It is essential that tourists have fully comprehensive travel and health insurance before driving in Bali, and to be very clear about what is and is not covered by their policy in the event of a traffic collision. Tourists should also keep their insurance details easily accessible in their wallet or on medical ID on their phones, as in many cases Bali hospitals will refuse treatment until insurance or proof of ability to pay is confirmed.
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