By: Teguh Ahmad Suryadi )*
The Christmas and New Year (Nataru) celebrations are an annual event always accompanied by a significant surge in public mobility, especially on Java Island, the center of national economic and social activity. The increased volume of vehicles on toll roads, arterial roads, ports, and tourist areas demands the government’s readiness to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow. During the 2025 Nataru celebrations, the government’s performance in engineering and managing traffic flow was deemed successful, creating a relatively smooth, safe, and conducive situation.
This success is due to the careful planning and measured implementation carried out by the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas) in collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions. Traffic engineering is implemented adaptively, taking into account field dynamics, from regulating vehicle flow and managing travel times to strengthening surveillance at points prone to congestion and accidents. This approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to guaranteeing the public’s right to safe mobility during the long holiday period.
National public policy and political analyst, Nasky Putra Tandjung, expressed his appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the Chief of the Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, who he considered selfless and tireless. The Kakorlantas’ leadership is reflected in his direct involvement in field monitoring, particularly at vital points prone to congestion. The presence of leaders in the field is considered to accelerate decision-making and ensure policies are implemented according to the real needs of the community.
According to Nasky, intensive coordination between the Korlantas Polri, toll road operators, the Ministry of Transportation, and various other stakeholders is a key factor in creating conducive traffic conditions during the Christmas and New Year holidays. This cross-sector synergy allows for flexible and responsive traffic engineering, allowing for the peak exodus and Christmas holiday periods to be navigated relatively smoothly.
Nasky also highlighted the important achievement of a decrease in traffic accident fatalities during the exodus period. Based on his data, there was a significant decrease of approximately 23.3 percent compared to the previous period. This decline demonstrates that preventive policies, strict supervision, and education for road users are effective and have a real impact on public safety.
Traffic and Transportation Observer Banter Adis expressed similar appreciation, assessing that the implementation of Operation Candle 2025 recorded very positive results, particularly on the first and second days of the operation, which showed a decrease in traffic accidents, including fatalities, by approximately 60 percent. This achievement is considered an indicator of the success of integrated traffic management and security during the Christmas and New Year period.
Banter explained that this success hinged not only on the readiness of personnel in the field, but also on the increasingly precise use of digital technology. One innovation deemed particularly helpful was the use of the Precision Patrol Drone ETLE, which enables real-time traffic monitoring, including in toll road blind spots. With this technological support, potential traffic violations and disruptions can be detected more quickly, allowing for timely handling.
In addition to strengthening supervision, the National Police, along with relevant agencies, are also preparing comprehensive security measures during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The establishment of security posts and disaster posts was carried out strategically, accompanied by the readiness of heavy equipment to deal with potential natural disasters, accidents, and the impact of extreme weather. In the port and ferry sectors, security was strengthened through the implementation of traffic engineering and ferry management, such as regulating delay systems and adjusting freight transport policies. These policies were deemed effective in maintaining safety and ensuring the smooth flow of public crossings.
Furthermore, Banter also emphasized the importance of the public’s role in supporting successful traffic management. Compliance with regulations, awareness of weather conditions, and traffic discipline are crucial factors in ensuring the various policies implemented by authorities can achieve maximum results.
Meanwhile, the Head of the National Police Traffic Corps, Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, revealed that fatal traffic accidents resulting in fatalities during the 2025 Christmas and New Year homecoming (Nataru) period decreased by 23.23 percent. Nevertheless, the National Police Traffic Corps remains consistent in enforcing the law, particularly against three-axle vehicles or large trucks that violate regulations during the Christmas and New Year period.Heavy vehicle operating hours on arterial roads are being strictly but proportionally enforced to ensure the safety of other road users.
Overall, the government’s performance in engineering and managing traffic flow during the 2025 Christmas and New Year holidays is commendable. Inter-agency synergy, strong leadership, and the use of modern technology demonstrate that traffic congestion can be effectively anticipated. Therefore, the public is expected to continue to trust the government’s performance in managing traffic during the Christmas and New Year period, while actively participating by complying with regulations to ensure safe, comfortable, and sustainable travel.
)* The author is a member of the Center for Transportation Studies
