KNKT Reveals Two Causes of Difficulty in Eradicating ODOL Trucks in Indonesia

KatadataOTO – Over Dimension and Over Loading (ODOL) trucks with excess loads are still a phenomenon that is difficult to eradicate in Indonesia.

Many accidents occur due to truck loads exceeding their proper capacity. This ultimately causes losses and significant fatalities.

ODOL trucks often experience brake failure while on the road. This is very dangerous for other road users.

Although proven to violate regulations and cause accidents, the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) revealed there are two reasons why ODOL trucks are difficult to eradicate.

Photo : Special

“First, the backbone of our logistics supply chain system is flawed. 98 percent is road-based; we don't use trains, we don't use adequate ferry services,” said Ahmad Wildan, Senior Investigator at KNKT, when met in Tangerang, Monday (28/07).

Even other alternative modes like trains are considered not yet optimal. This is because freight trains still use the same tracks as passenger trains.

According to Wildan, in many other countries, freight trains have their own separate, dedicated tracks.

For ODOL trucks to be eradicated, the logistics supply chain needs to utilize other modes of transportation and not just depend on road-based transport.

“Then the second issue is freight transport tariffs; the bargaining power is in the hands of the goods' owners, so it's rather difficult to control. The government really needs to intervene here,” said Wildan.

These tariffs should allow trucks to operate carrying loads according to their capacity while still ensuring business continuity for transport companies.

Wildan emphasized that without the implementation of these two things, ODOL trucks will continue to operate on Indonesian roads.

However, the KNKT has communicated with the government so that the handling of ODOL trucks can be maximized.

Photo : Special

“It takes a process; it can't be done quickly. Because this has been rooted for the last 20 to 30 years,” said Wildan.

For your information, in 2024, about 10 percent of the total domestic traffic accidents were freight transport incidents, with a total of 27,337 incidents.

There are various culprits. Such as inadequate vehicle conditions during operation because they were not checked beforehand, and the excess loads being carried.