To minimize traffic, follow the rules

One morning, on my way to the office in Marikina City from Manila, the roads I traversed from E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue to Aurora Boulevard in Cubao were almost free of vehicular traffic. I realized that the reason there was no traffic jam on these roads was because LTO traffic enforcers were deployed near Welcome Rotunda. Many jeepney drivers and motorcycle riders were apprehended maybe because of traffic violations or spurious documents of motorists. As a consequence, traffic citation tickets were issued to them.

I guess traffic flow within Metro Manila would be a thing of the past if these traffic law
enforcers are always visible along major thoroughfares within the metropolis and exercise extra diligence not only in checking driver’s licenses or citing motorists for traffic violations, but also in implementing to the letter Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, titled “Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for violation of Laws, Rules and Regulations, Governing Land Transportation Office.”

While commending these moves of the LTO, I suggest the following to complement their efforts: designate jeepney stops, oblige pedestrians to use pedestrian lanes and foot bridges; not least, remove makeshift stalls, eateries and stores that tend to obstruct the flow of pedestrians on streets, sidewalks, alleys, open spaces, parks, plazas and road islands and other public places. These are a nuisance to the city and they cause minor traffic problems as people tend to use roads as walking paths when the sidewalks are filled with these structures or are
used during construction of commercial buildings.

I hope that we will have a better flow of traffic when all abide by the traffic rules and regulations and when all value discipline and order.

REGINALD B. TAMAYO, assistant city council secretary, Marikina City