Currently, a number of toll roads such as the Trans Java Toll Road and Trans Sumatra Toll Road, use concrete as the main material for the road surface.

Even so, many drivers think that concrete roads are less comfortable to cross because the traction provided is not as optimal as on asphalt roads. In addition, there is also the assumption that concrete roads can cause car tires to wear out faster.

For your information. The reason for using concrete material for road construction is that its durability is higher than asphalt, as asphalt requires periodic resurfacing.

The choice of concrete is also based on its ability to withstand water seepage out of the soil surface, so it does not rot easily.

Given that Indonesia has high rainfall and humidity, there is a risk that asphalt will deteriorate faster. Especially if it turns out that the road drainage system is not optimal, resulting in puddles.

Many people think that concrete roads are less comfortable to drive on, because the traction provided is not as optimal as asphalt materials. Thus, it is difficult for the driver to feel the grip of the tires on the concrete surface and makes it more difficult to control.

It is also thought that concrete roads can cause tires to wear out faster. Especially on concrete roads where the rainwater disposal grooves cross the direction of the vehicle's speed.

In addition, noise due to tire friction against concrete roads is also heard to be higher. There is also an assumption that concrete roads are hotter than asphalt. But in fact, both asphalt roads and concrete roads store heat in the midday heat.

So, what are the facts?

Actually, there is no difference between driving on asphalt and concrete roads. The most important thing is to maintain the condition of the vehicle tires.

Basically, there is no difference in driving on concrete or asphalt road surfaces. The main requirement is that the tires are in optimal condition. Next, of course, is regulating driving behavior according to the principles of safety driving.

To be safer on a concrete highway, you must focus more on seeing road markings and maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Use a minimum distance of 3 seconds with the vehicle in front to anticipate potential problems.

Maintaining the distance aims to allow the driver to act and stop in time at the right distance if there is a dangerous event ahead. Especially during the Lebaran holiday, the road will be congested because many car users go out of town for homecoming or tourism.

Don't forget, once the rain falls, immediately reduce your speed to maintain your driving focus and prevent your tires from losing grip on the road. Even though it is not asphalt, there is still the potential for aquaplaning if the car passes through puddles.

The key to safe driving on concrete roads is the use of proper tires. Such as tire treads that must be thick according to the rules, there are no problems such as bumps on the tread or tire wall, especially if the tire wire is visible. Make sure the tire air pressure on the homecoming trip is according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Don't forget to take a break at the rest area after driving for 2 hours. In addition to providing space for the driver to rest, the car can also cool down. Including car tires that are directly in contact with hot concrete surfaces.

Before leaving, make sure to do vehicle maintenance. Do not hesitate to replace the tires if they are detected to be inappropriate, such as thin tire grooves or torn tire walls, especially if the steel wire webbing is visible.

Indonesia

Saat ini, sejumlah ruas jalan tol seperti Tol Trans Jawa maupun Tol Trans Sumatera, menggunakan beton sebagai material utama untuk permukaan jalan.

Meski begitu, banyak pengemudi yang beranggapan bahwa jalan beton kurang nyaman untuk dilintasi karena traksi yang diberikan tidak seoptimal di jalan aspal. Selain itu, muncul juga anggapan bahwa jalan beton bisa menyebabkan ban mobil lebih cepat aus.

Sebagai informasi. Alasan penggunaan material beton untuk pembuatan jalan adalah karena durabilitasnya lebih tinggi dibanding aspal, karena aspal membutuhkan pelapisan ulang secara berkala.

Pemilihan beton juga didasarkan pada kemampuannya dalam menahan rembesan airyang keluar dari permukaan tanah, sehingga tidak mudah lapuk.

Mengingat di Indonesia curah hujan dan kelembabannya tinggi, berisiko membuat aspal lebih cepat rusak. Apalagi jika ternyata sistem drainase jalan tidak optimal sehingga mengakibatkan genangan air.

Banyak anggapan yang muncul bahwa jalan beton kurang nyaman untuk dilintasi, karena traksi yang diberikan tidak seoptimal bahan aspal. Sehingga, pengemudi kesulitan untuk merasakan grip ban ke permukaan beton dan membuatnya lebih sulit dikendalikan. 

Juga anggapan bahwa jalan beton bisa menyebabkan ban lebih cepat aus. Khususnya pada jalan beton yang alur pembuangan air hujannya melintang (cross) alias memotong arah laju kendaraan.

Selain itu, kebisingan akibat gesekan ban terhadap jalan beton pun terdengar lebih tinggi. Ada pula anggapan jalan beton lebih panas ketimbang aspal. Tapi faktanya, baik jalan aspal maupun jalan beton sama-sama menyimpan panas di tengah cuaca siang hari yang terik.

Lantas, bagaimana faktanya?

Sebenarnya, tidak ada bedanya berkendara di jalan aspal maupun jalan beton. Yang terpenting adalah kondisi ban kendaraan harus terjaga.

Pada dasarnya, tidak ada perbedaan mengemudi di permukaan jalan beton maupun aspal. Syarat utamanya, ban dalam kondisi optimal. Berikutnya tentu mengatur perilaku berkendara sesuai prinsip safety driving.

Untuk lebih aman lewat jalan tol bermaterial beton, kamu harus lebih fokus dalam melihat marka jalan dan menjaga jarak aman dengan kendaraan di depan. Gunakan jarak minimal 3 detik dengan kendaraan yang ada di depan untuk mengantisipasi potensi masalah.

Menjaga jarak bertujuan agar pengendara bisa bertindak dan berhenti tepat waktu pada jarak yang tepat bila di depan ada kejadian bahaya. Apalagi di momen libur Lebaran, jalan akan padat lantaran banyak pengguna mobil yang pergi keluar kota untuk mudik atau wisata.

Jangan lupa pula, begitu hujan turun, segera kurangi kecepatan untuk menjaga fokus berkendara dan ban mobil tidak kehilangan daya cengkeram ke jalan. Meskipun bukan aspal, tetap ada potensi aquaplaning kalau mobil melewati genangan air.

Kunci dari mengemudi aman di jalan berbahan beton adalah penggunaan ban yang layak. Seperti telapak ban yang harus tebal sesuai aturan, tidak ada masalah seperti benjol di telapak atau dinding ban, apalagi kalau sampai terlihat kawat ban. Pastikan tekanan udara ban dalam perjalanan mudik sesuai rekomendasi pabrikan.

Jangan lupa istirahat di rest area setelah mengemudi selama 2 jam. Selain memberikan ruang bagi pengemudi untuk istirahat, mobil juga bisa cooling down. Termasuk ban mobil yang langsung bersentuhan dengan permukaan beton yang panas.

Sebelum berangkat, pastikan lakukan perawatan kendaraan. Jangan segan untuk mengganti ban jika terdeteksi sudah tidak layak, seperti alur ban tipis atau dinding ban sobek, apalagi kalau sampai anyaman kawat baja terlihat.