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Traffic body explores causes of traffic-related accidents
Source: Inquirer
Author: Tessa R. Salazar
Date: 1999-06-17
 
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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