Video of a woman embracing her boyfriend after he was crushed by a concrete mixer truck sparks discussion over the shocking scene.

Blind Spots of Large Vehicles and the Mechanics of Sideswipe/Entrapment Accidents

In Indonesia, the number of traffic fatalities—which had temporarily declined during the COVID-19 pandemic—rose by 9% year-on-year to approximately 28,000 in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Accidents involving large vehicles like concrete mixers are prone to occurring due to the vehicles’ structural characteristics; the elevated driver’s seat creates blind spots in all directions—front, sides, and rear. Compounded by the phenomenon of “inner-wheel difference” (where the rear wheels follow a tighter path than the front wheels during turns), these vehicles are highly susceptible to “sideswipe” or “run-over” accidents involving pedestrians and motorcyclists, even when moving at a crawl. Consequently, visually confirming safety rather than relying solely on mirrors is essential for accident prevention.

Additionally, the unauthorized filming of accident scenes with smartphones for posting on social media has become a problem in various areas. While critics point out that an influx of onlookers can hinder rescue operations and potentially lower survival rates, there is a lack of laws or ordinances directly prohibiting such filming, leaving the issue to be debated primarily as a matter of ethics.