Jakarta – A dramatic vehicle rollover on the Jatibening toll Road earlier this week has brought renewed focus to the risks associated with driving large SUVs at high speeds. The incident, captured on dashcam footage and widely shared online, involved a Fortuner and highlights the unique handling challenges of these popular vehicles. Authorities are investigating whether excessive speed was a primary factor in the crash, which resulted in minor injuries to the driver. This event underscores the critical need for driver awareness regarding vehicle limitations and safe highway practices.
Jakarta –
A recent incident on the Jatibening Toll Road highlights the dangers of speeding in large SUVs, resulting in a vehicle rollover. The crash serves as a stark reminder of the handling limitations of these vehicles at high speeds.
Vehicles like the Pajero Sport and Fortuner, while popular, are not designed for high-speed driving, particularly on highways. Their higher center of gravity makes them more susceptible to instability and rollovers. This risk was tragically demonstrated in the recent accident on the Jatibening Toll Road.
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Dashcam footage circulating on social media, originally posted to the Instagram account info_pondokgede, shows a white vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the third lane. Shortly after, another vehicle also speeding entered the second lane. Both vehicles then moved to the first lane and close to the shoulder to avoid a truck in the second lane. Following closely behind was a large SUV, also traveling at a high speed, which entered the third lane.
The SUV, believed to be a Fortuner, mirrored the actions of the preceding vehicles. Attempting to avoid the truck by moving to the first lane near the shoulder, the SUV lost control, spun, collided with the guardrail, and ultimately overturned. This incident underscores the potential for loss of control when operating large SUVs at excessive speeds.
Sony Susmana, a driving safety expert and Director of Training at Safety Defensive Consultant Indonesia (SDCI), explained that ladder-frame SUVs like the Fortuner and Pajero are not engineered for high-speed maneuvers. “These vehicles, with their larger dimensions, can easily lose stability when pushed to high speeds on toll roads,” he stated.
The Jatibening Toll Road accident is not an isolated incident. Similar crashes involving speeding Fortuner and Pajero models have occurred previously. Despite this, many drivers continue to operate these SUVs at dangerous velocities. The recurring nature of these events raises concerns about driver awareness and adherence to speed limits.
Erreza Hardian, a driving safety expert and assessor at LSP EMI, noted that driving vehicles like the Pajero Sport and Fortuner can create a false sense of security. “The substantial power and responsive handling can lead drivers to unknowingly accelerate to high speeds,” Hardian explained. “Because it *feels* good to drive, drivers don’t realize they’ve reached 150 km/h and control becomes difficult. If the power steering is still light, drivers may believe they can maneuver to avoid obstacles, but the vehicle can easily flip.”
The recent incident serves as a critical reminder for drivers of similar vehicles to avoid speeding on highways. Maintaining a safe speed within posted limits is crucial to preventing accidents and ensuring road safety. This incident highlights the importance of responsible driving habits and awareness of vehicle limitations.
(dry/din)
