inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indramayu Sub-regional Police, West Java, reiterated the ban on the use of pickup trucks and open-backed vehicles for transporting passengers, following a tragic traffic accident that killed 12 people on the North Coast Highway (Pantura).

Indramayu Sub-regional Police Community Development Unit Head, First Police Inspector Tasim, stated that freight vehicles, both pickup trucks and trucks, are not intended to transport people due to the high risk of fatalities in the event of an accident.

"The vehicle's structure, which lacks a roof protection or rear seat belts, makes passengers extremely vulnerable in the event of a severe jolt or accident. Therefore, we are reiterating this ban on pickup trucks carrying passengers," Tasim emphasized on Thursday (7/16/2026).

He explained that the ban refers to Article 137 of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation (LLAJ), which stipulates that freight vehicles are not used to transport passengers.

According to him, pickup trucks are designed to transport goods and therefore are not equipped with adequate safety equipment for passengers.

"We appeal to the public not to use pickup trucks as a means of transportation, even if they are considered more practical or can reduce travel costs," said Tasim.

He emphasized that the safety of road users must be a priority, with the use of transportation that is appropriate for its intended purpose.

The Indramayu Sub-regional Police have instructed all police stations to intensify education regarding the prohibition on using pickup trucks for passenger transportation. He stated that officers in the field are asked to prioritize persuasive measures and issue humane warnings if violations are still found.

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