More than 45,000 erring motorists were cited for various traffic violations in the City of Makati in the first quarter of the year, Mayor Abigail Binay said on Tuesday.
Binay urged motorists to be more conscious of road and traffic safety, noting that disobedience to traffic signs and signals topped the list of traffic violations recorded by the Public Safety Department from January to March.
During that period, the PSD recorded a total of 45,199 traffic violations. Of these number, 10,846 citation tickets were issued for Disobedience to Traffic Control Signs and Signals; 7,331 for Disregarding Lane Markings; and 5,764 for Illegal Parking.
Mayor Binay stressed that traffic disasters such as road crashes leave a big impact on Makati which is the country’s financial center and premier destination for urban tourism.
“We urge Makatizens, visitors and workers, and passers-by to be mindful of traffic rules in order to avoid disasters caused by human error or carelessness,” the mayor said.
“A simple road accident or stalled vehicle can quickly lead to traffic jams, especially during daytime when our population quadruples, and cost millions in income loss and reduced productivity,” she added.
Mayor Binay underscored that traffic signs and signals as well as lane markings are installed to ensure safe and efficient movement of all road users—whether pedestrians, commuters, or motorists.
Disobedience to traffic control signals entails a fine of P2,500 and/or suspension of driver’s license, while, for a public utility vehicle, its Certificate of Public Convenience will be suspended.
Stiff fines are also imposed for driving over a Yellow Box at an intersection: P1,000 for the first offense; P2,500 for the second offense; and P5,000 for the third offense.
For illegal parking, the fine has been increased from P400 to P1,900, following the enactment last year of City Ordinance No. 2017-086 approving the terms and conditions of a public-private partnership contract for the provision of towing, impounding and clamping services for illegally parked vehicles and those involved in accidents.
Under the agreement with Tokagawa Global Corporation, the said services will be made available throughout the city including the Central Business District, from Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day.
Other traffic violations cited include Obstructing Roads by Motor Vehicles and Stalled Vehicles, and No Safety Helmet for Motor Cyclists where 3,551 and 2,941 tickets were issued, respectively.
Binay and members of the City Council have also been reviewing parking regulations to address the problem of parking space in Makati. More policies and programs are being studied to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters in the city.
To date, 19 barangays have developed new Traffic Management Systems which regulate one- and two-way traffic in streets and major thoroughfares, as well as implement revised parking regulations. These include Barangays Carmona, Palanan, La Paz, Tejeros, San Antonio, Poblacion, Kasilawan, Bangkal, San Isidro, and Singkamas from District 1; and Barangays Cembo, Rizal, Guadalupe Nuevo, West Rembo, Pinagkaisahan, Comembo, Guadalupe Viejo, Pembo, and South Cembo from District 2.
Last year, the City Council enacted City Ordinance No. “ª2017-134 or the “Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skates and other Similar Forms of Conveyances Safe Riding Ordinance of the City of Makati,” which requires both riders and passengers of bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and the like to wear a protective helmet while travelling within the city.
It also enforced City Ordinance No. “ª2017-135 or the “Children’s Safety in Tricycles and Motorcycles Ordinance of the City of Makati,” which strictly prohibits driving a motorcycle with a child on board unless the child can comfortably reach the foot peg of the motorcycle, can reach and grasp around the waist of the driver, and is wearing a standard protective helmet which bears a Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark.
Since Mayor Binay began her term as mayor in July 2016, Makati has come to be known for its strict enforcement of traffic rules and other ordinances and laws intended to ensure the protection and safety of the city’s residents, investors, workers, and guests.
