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Philippines |
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Traffic body explores causes
of traffic-related accidents |
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Source: Inquirer |
Author: Tessa R. Salazar |
Date: 1999-06-17 |
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TOO many vehicles. No uniform traffic
laws. Failure of various organizations to
train their drivers. These are just some
of the reasons cited by the Traffic Management Group (TMG)
regarding traffic accidents.
During the "Dos and Don'ts on Road Accidents" seminar
conducted recently at the World Trade Center, TMG police
senior inspector Alberto E. Aoanan, chief of investigation
division, said there are three million vehicles registered in Metro
Manila today.
"Two million of these vehicles are traversing along Edsa which
has a traffic load of up to 200,000 vehicles from Monumento to
Baclaran," he said.
If House Bill 6863-which proposes an increase in the registration
fee of motor vehicles--becomes a law, Aoanan said that it would
somehow discourage people from buying more cars. He doubts,
however, if this bill would ever affect affluent motorists who can
afford to buy as many cars as they want.
Aoanan said that another pending bill requires the phaseout of
1985 vehicle models. He believes this may help in some way
decongest the traffic jam.
Edsa has the most number of accidents in Metro Manila, he
said. He cited the area of Sta. Cruz, Aurora Boulevard and
Espa?a as slow-paced and having less traffic accidents
reported.
He added that high speed is being blamed as the main culprit in
Edsa traffic accidents.
"Drivers fail to execute quick maneuvers on approaching curves
because of too much speed," he said. "Motorists are also
confused because of non-uniformity of traffic laws. Try to
observe the traffic system from Monumento to Baclaran,
Quezon City to White Plains, Ortigas, Mandaluyong to Makati
and notice the difference."
He identified driver negligence as another big factor in traffic
accidents. Aoanan suggested that accidents could be minimized
if motorists will check the vehicle daily before leaving.
"A defensive driver should always bear in mind this acronym:
BLOWAG. This means that a driver should check the Battery
and Brakes, Lights, Oil, Water, Air and Gauges before driving,"
he said.
Other commonly encountered road accidents, added Aoanan,
involve drivers under the influence of liquor and drugs.
"Currently, there's a pending bill requiring each driver to
undergo a drug test before license is renewed by the year 2000,"
he said.
Aoanan added that bad roads and weather conditions also
contribute to accidents.
"With slippery roads during rainy days, expect more mishaps to
happen," he said.
In the absence of a traffic policeman or investigator, Aoanan
suggested that motorists involved in traffic accidents that cause
vehicle damage should try to reach an amicable settlement.
"Agree to prepare a rough sketch of the actual collision, signed
by both parties, get each other's driver's license and contact
numbers, then bring your vehicles on the road side to avoid
creating traffic," he said.
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