The Jakarta Government is set to begin the test implementation of the odd-even traffic rule on July 27. It is hoped that the odd-even rule, which would only allow cars with license plates ending in odd numbers to use the capital’s main streets during rush hour, will help alleviate the stark increase in traffic caused by the repeal of the previous 3-in-1 carpooling scheme.
However, many people are skeptical about whether the odd-even rule will be able to make a dent in Jakarta’s mega macet, considering the likelihood that many drivers will try to cheat the system by buying fake license plates.
The police have already said that they will be on the lookout for fake plates and would potentially charge those using them with fraud. But it seems unlikely they would be able to sniff out the cheaters on a large scale.
Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama agrees that their are likely to be many people who will try cheat the new regulation. But he also has an idea that he thinks will be highly effective in scaring people into complying with the new regulation – by posting the names of violators online so that they can be publicly shamed and bullied by their peers.
“I think they must find just 10 violators to make others afraids. If they are posted on social media they will (quickly be bullied by people on social media),” Ahok said at City Hall yesterday, as quoted by Kompas.
Ahok also said that police would be doing random spot checks on cars to make sure that they were using their original license plates, and that violators would receive heavy punishments.
The test phase of the odd-even rule will run for about one month, with the law fully coming into force on August 26th.
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