I would like to comment on Neal Cruz’s June 23 column titled “No fines for those who obey traffic rules.”
Other factors contributing to traffic congestion or slowdowns were not mentioned in the column: e.g., road projects, such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Magallanes Interchange Rehab and the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) construction of a drainage/road improvement project along España Boulevard.
Also, there was no mention of the other traffic stakeholders: the MMDA, the DPWH, the commuters and the government agencies collecting fines. As a matter of fact, they were not given the chance to state their views for fair judgment.
Cruz mentioned only the operators and drivers of passenger
vehicles.
Cruz also said that stiff fines make drivers drive carefully and avoid accidents and traffic violations. He should have added that operators and drivers should adhere not only to traffic rules and regulations but also to the standards of service demanded of them, instead of paying the penalty.
Lastly, Cruz said, “The desperate competition to get passengers and lack of accountability make drivers drive carelessly and violate traffic rules. Another reason is the boundary system—where drivers pay the bus, jeepney or tricycle operators a fixed amount; what is left of their earnings after paying the boundary becomes their take home pay.” This is between the operators and their drivers and has nothing to do with collecting the fines on “colorum” vehicles.
—JULIA ELAINE PINEDA MARTEJA,
student, College of Liberal Arts,
De La Salle University