The government will impose stricter law enforcement against undisciplined and irresponsible motorists in a bid to reduce road accidents in the metropolis.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has teamed up with Police–Highway Patrol Group, Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to strengthen traffic rules and regulations with emphasis on the common causes of accidents in the National Capital Region.
These agencies agreed to enforce the following measure: (1) Intensify anti-drunk driving and anti-distracted driving operations in Metro Manila; (2) Suspend/revoke /cancel the driver’s license of drivers with multiple traffic violations, in accordance with the law; (3) File cases against violators of RA 10913 or Anti-Distracted Driving Act; (4) Impose stiffer penalties to drivers involved in accidents with damage to government properties or at least filing of charges; (5) Set up strategic checkpoints during curfew hours, and (6) Conduct random breath analyzer tests on drivers.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said they came up with the agreement to enforce those measures following Tuesday’s meeting at the MMDA’s main office in Makati City.
He said they were alarmed by the rising number of vehicular accidents in the metropolis, particularly concrete-barrier related accidents along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).
“It is high time that we reaffirm our commitment to improve road safety and push collaborative efforts on how to discipline erring motorists and drivers,” said Garcia.
Based on the Road Crash Statistics in Metro Manila 2020 from January to August, at least 31,811 accidents have been reported, with 136 fatalities, 6,614 non-fatal, and 25,061 incurred damages to property.
At least 618 accidents occurred on EDSA this year, 509 of which resulted to damage to property while 105 barrier-related accidents were reported.
Common causes of barrier-related accidents are driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs; physical fatigue, overspeeding, distracted driving, unauthorized use of accessories and vehicle roadworthiness issues.
The MMDA is hoping that through this campaign, it will be able to change the selfish behavior of most of these irresponsible drivers and individuals violating traffic rules.
Last week, at least ten people were seriously hurt after an Ayala-bound passenger bus rammed 11 motorcycles, a car and another bus along the northbound lane of Osmena Highway near Arnaiz Avenue in Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makati City.
The authorities found out that the Pitbull Bus driver Marlon Nacaytona, 29, was positive for drug use.
Both LTO and LTFRB already issued a show cause order to Nacaytona and the manager/operator of PBT Pitbull Bus Transport Corp. as a response to the incident.
During police interrogation, Nacaytona claimed the bus lost its brake.