Millions In Indonesia To Travel Home To Celebrate Eid Al Fitr

Pekanbaru, Riau, July 21 (Antara) - Around 27.9 million people in Indonesia are expected to travel home to villages to celebrate the Islamic post fasting celebration of Eid Al Fitr, up seven percent from last year, police said. "The condition will certainly increase vulnerabilities in terms of traffic," National Police Chief General Sutarman said in a written statement read out by the governor of Riau province in Sumatra, Annas Maamun, at a roll call of forces assigned to ensure security during the big holiday event. In view of the condition, Sutarman called on his personnel to implement their mandate as protectors of community with sincerity, including securing traffic. He said motorists must always be reminded about the importance of following traffic signs and prioritizing safety. "Stringent action should be taken against violators of traffic regulations, as they could threaten the safety of others," he said. He said the number of traffic incidents had increased from year to year, recorded by 101.61 percent from 2012 to 2013. However, he said it had reduced by 29.77 percent last year and has given pride to the force. The number of cases of traffic violations in 2012 was recorded at 5,227, but in 2013 it had reduced to 3,635. Sutarman said the number of traffic deaths meanwhile had reduced by around 12.44 percent from 900 in 2012 to 785 in 2013.