The Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) reminded Dabawenyo motorists and pedestrians alike to be disciplined and respect traffic rules and regulations to prevent road mishaps.
CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude, in a phone interview with the City Information Office on Thursday afternoon, September 8, said road safety starts with drivers themselves. They should be in good health and their vehicles should also be in good condition.
“Atong kalsada para na sa general motorists. Tanang motorista equal rights diha sa kalsada including mga pedestrian na gagamit sa pedestrian lanes ug sidewalks. Kinahanglan gyud ang disiplina ug respeto sa matag-usa (Our roads are for general motorists. All motorists have equal rights on the road including the pedestrians who use the pedestrian lanes and sidewalks),” he said.
He said their office can only do so much in enforcing traffic laws due to limited personnel and they cannot assist all people who use the pedestrian crossing or crosswalks.
Abude said during seminars, drivers are oriented to slow down when approaching a pedestrian lane. He said, “Importante gyud na nga mag menor ka kay agianan man na sa tao. Kung approaching ka sa pedestrian lane, menor ka aron sakto nga maka-brake ka og duna’y mutabok. Kung paratoy-ratoy ka kusog imong dagan kay abi nimo wala’y tao, unya kung duna’y mutabok nga wala pud sya kabantay nimo, diha na ang disgrasya (It’s really important to slow down since that’s where people cross. If you are approaching a pedestrian lane, you should slow down so that you can [apply] brakes in time for someone to cross. If you drive fast and someone crosses without him or her noticing you, that’s where the accident happens).”
Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, in a previous Special Hour with Mayor broadcast over 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), also called on motorists to give way to pedestrians. “Kita- kita lang bitaw diri aning syudara ni, maghinatagay ta. Kita mo sa mga tao sa pedestrian crossing, patabuka sad ninyo (it’s just us in the city, let’s give way to each other. When you see people at the pedestrian crossing, let them pass).”
Abude said that at times he also uses the pedestrian crossing and the same goes for his children and relatives. If motorists don’t respect pedestrians, he said they might end up side-sweeping their family members or relatives.
“I-consider nato ang safety gyud sa tanan samtang ga drive ta. Kabalo gyud ta cause gyud ang danger sa kamatayon kung sobra-sobra ang impact sa pagbangga. Amping gyud kanunay. Makadisgrasya ta, makapatay, ulahi na ang pagmahay (Let’s consider the safety of everyone while we drive. We know that the risk of death if the collision is excessive. Always be careful. We can make accidents happen, we can kill, it’s too late to make regrets),” Abude said, underscoring the importance of reaching one’s destination safely.
He also urged motorists to check their vehicles if they have enough fuel and if the brakes or tires are working well since these are oftentimes the cause of traffic congestion and accidents. Some public utility vehicles, according to him, are plying routes with almost empty fuel or other motorists drive with faulty breaks or worn-out tires that burst on the road.
The CTTMO head said other motorists don’t respect bike lanes and some minors are driving without a license. That’s why his office will coordinate with other government agencies to intensify the monitoring at checkpoints. “Driving without a license is a criminal offense pwede nato file-an og kaso ang mga minors (we can file cases against these erring minors),” he said.
To pedestrians, Abude reminds them to cross only on designated crosswalks and sidewalks to also contribute to keeping road safety for everyone. Jaywalkers will still be issued citation tickets and they will have to pay a fine of P100 to the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO). Jaywalking minors will also undergo seminars.CIO
