May I make some suggestions on how to manage traffic in Manila and in other urban cities.
The traffic mess in Metro Manila arises mainly from:
- Ignorance of traffic laws, rules and regulations and lack of discipline among drivers.
- Improper implementation of traffic laws, rules and regulations on the part of traffic enforcers who have another standard or set of rules for jeepney, bus and tricycle drivers.
- Reckless motorcycle drivers.
You don’t have to drive around to look for proof that the situation is so. Just be an observant pedestrian and you will have more than enough that your patience can handle.
Now that we know the heart of the problem, I suppose we are in a better position to identify solutions. May I suggest the following:
- Stricter issuance by the Land Transportation Office of driver’s license.
- Continuing educational campaign on traffic laws, rules and regulations through the trimedia.
- Ban from the streets all motor vehicles without proper license plates and mete out the corresponding penalties.
- Penalize or fire traffic enforcers who are remiss in their jobs or who abuse their office.
- Amend the law on traffic accidents, in particular the one involving motorcycle accidents. For example, motorcycle drivers should be the ones penalized if they overtake on the right side of a vehicle or cut corners. Why punish the driver of a four-wheel vehicle if it is the motorcycle driver who is at fault?
- Remove all buses and jeepneys that are without franchises.
- Schedule bus departures and arrivals at designated stations.
- Pay each bus driver or conductor a basic salary, not commissions, so as to dissuade them from staying too long at a certain road section to wait for passengers.
- Cancel the driver’s license of PUV drivers caught under the influence, whether of liquor or illegal substances, or involved in major accidents resulting in death and huge damage to property.
It’s time for everybody to cooperate. Be informed and educated on traffic laws, rules and regulations to ease traffic congestion.
JOEY B. LACEDA, Olongapo City
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