Did the traffic situation in Metro Manila go from bad to worse since the suspension of the No Contact Apprehension Program last August 30?
Have motorists felt the dearth of discipline on the road due to the absence of the omniscient ‘”digital traffic enforcer?”
Some officials supporting the NCAP have proclaimed widespread chaos on the road if NCAP would be suspended. But lo and behold, the traffic situation has not gone from bad to worse, or so it seems.
While there are corners and areas that can be managed by digital monitoring, or robots if you will, physical enforcers who can thank and make rational decisions are still the best to ensure smooth traffic on the road.
Take the case of the corners of Araneta and Quezon Avenue, MMDA personnel direct left-turning vehicles from Araneta to Quezon Avenue even if the red -light is still on because it effectively reduces the volume of the vehicles, mostly delivery trucks and trailers, coming from C3.
That is something the NCAP cannot decide on. Otherwise, motorists will be stuck waiting for their turn to get the green light.
Traffic enforcers manning the crossing in Kawit and Bacoor create a one-way passing lane for vehicles coming from Centennial Roads going to SCTEX during the early morning when people are going to work on weekdays.
Again, that is something NCAP cannot possibly do.
It goes to show that robots cannot replace man, especially in unusual cases like accidents and the like. Man can think and can decide with better rationale and solve problems right on the dot.
Most violations caught on camera by NCAP are actually puny infractions like touching the middle lane, or overlapping on the pedestrian lane (because most traffic lights have no countdown when going from green to yellow and to red) that impose prohibitive financial penalties.
For now, the NCAP remains suspended by the power of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order until the petitions by the transport group and a lawyer against these policies are heard.
The LGUs must use this period to correct their mistakes in the implementation of the NCAP.
One thing is sure while the NCAP is not in place, the city governments of Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa and their private partners are losing millions in revenues.
