The Traffic Directorate of the North Sumatra Regional Police predicts the peak of the Christmas and New Year holiday return flow will occur on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

In anticipation of this surge in vehicle volume, police ranks have prepared security schemes and traffic engineering at a number of congestion-prone points.

The Head of the Traffic Directorate emphasized that all personnel have been instructed to be on full alert, particularly in areas that are central to the return flow mobilization and tourist destinations.

“We predict traffic density will increase this coming Sunday. Therefore, we have asked all ranks of the Traffic Directorate and related Police Precincts to increase vigilance and preparedness in the field,” stated the Head on Saturday.

To ensure security runs optimally, the Traffic Directorate is also conducting intensive coordination with the Traffic Unit Heads of the Tanah Karo, Toba, and Samosir Police Precincts. These three areas are estimated to be the concentration points for the tourist return flow.

In addition to personnel strength, the Traffic Directorate has also prepared a Congestion Dispersal Team, ready to be deployed at any time to crucial points to disperse density and handle traffic obstacles quickly and precisely.

“I have instructed all Traffic Unit Heads to be fully alert to the potential for congestion. The Congestion Dispersal Team is also prepared by us to speed up handling if a buildup of vehicles occurs,” he explained.

On the other hand, the Head also reminded the public to continue prioritizing safety during the return journey, in order to reduce the number of traffic accidents.

“We urge the public returning from hometowns or tourist attractions to drive in an orderly and safe manner. Do not drive at high speeds, maintain a safe distance, use seat belts, and motorcycle riders must use SNI-standard helmets,” he urged.

Equally important, the Head of the Traffic Directorate emphasized fatigue management during long journeys so that driver concentration remains maintained.

“If you feel tired or drowsy, do not force it. Please utilize the available rest areas or stopping places. Public safety is our priority, so that all road users can return home safely,” he concluded.

North Sumatra Regional Police

The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) is the provincial police force of North Sumatra, Indonesia, responsible for law enforcement and security in the region. It was established as part of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) structure following the country’s independence, evolving from earlier Dutch colonial and Japanese occupation-era police organizations to maintain order in one of Indonesia’s most populous and diverse provinces.

Traffic Directorate

The Traffic Directorate is a government agency responsible for managing and regulating road traffic, vehicle registration, and driver licensing within a specific country or region. Its history is typically tied to the rise of the automobile in the 20th century, evolving from earlier police or transport departments to address growing safety and infrastructure needs. As an administrative body, it is not a cultural or historical site for public visitation, but its operations are central to modern transportation systems.

Tanah Karo Police Precinct

The Tanah Karo Police Precinct is a local law enforcement station located in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. It serves the administrative and security needs of the Karo people, an indigenous group known for their distinct culture and history in the highlands of Sumatra. While the precinct itself is a modern governmental building, its operations are situated within a region with a long history, including the Karo struggle for autonomy and the impact of major events like the 2010 Mount Sinabung eruptions.

Toba Police Precinct

The Toba Police Precinct is a historic police station located in Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is most famously known as the station where the detectives who solved the 1948 “Teigin Incident” (Imperial Bank robbery and poisoning) were based, bringing it significant notoriety in Japanese criminal history. The building itself is a functional precinct that represents a piece of local and investigative history.

Samosir Police Precinct

The Samosir Police Precinct is a local law enforcement station located on Samosir Island in Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia. It primarily serves the local communities and tourists in the area, with its history tied to the broader development of governmental infrastructure on the island as part of Indonesia’s national police force structure.

Congestion Dispersal Team

The “Congestion Dispersal Team” is not a recognized historical place or cultural site. It appears to be a term that could refer to a modern operational unit, perhaps within a city’s transportation or event management department, tasked with managing crowds and traffic flow. Without a specific, established cultural or historical context, it does not have a documented history as a landmark.

Traffic Unit Heads

“Traffic Unit Heads” is not a widely recognized historical place or cultural site. It appears to be a modern administrative or organizational term, typically referring to the leaders or managers within a police department’s traffic division. Therefore, it does not have a historical background as a cultural landmark.

Police Precincts

Police precincts are local divisions of a city’s police department, each responsible for law enforcement and public safety in a specific geographic area. Their history dates to the 19th century with the professionalization of police forces, particularly in places like London and New York, where they were established to provide more organized and accountable community policing. Today, they serve as essential hubs for patrol operations, community engagement, and administrative functions.