Motoring Today Column

Oct 10, 2018

I shouldn't have ended this article's headline with a question mark. Instead it should have ended with an exclamation point. What with a report that we got our hands on, which shows figures that undoubtedly tell us that Republic Act 10586, which prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs is nothing but a farce.

Consider this report, which the Land Transportation Office (LTO) no less provided showing that between January 1 and June 30, 2018 only 100 motorists were apprehended by law enforcers driving while under the influence of alcohol.

I remember the time the law was just about to be implemented after meeting its required period of publication, when I warned my alcohol-loving friends about ceasing their habit of going home driving loaded with spirits as the fines can be quite hefty and recidivists can be slapped prison terms as well and they laughingly told me, "Don't hold your alcohol-scented breath about the law being seriously imposed or you might end up dead by asphyxiation."

No, let me correct myself. The law itself is not a farce. The lawmen's implementation of the law is ridiculous—that's the farce. And to think that the government has reportedly bought and issued 756 breath analyzers and almost a thousand personnel have been specifically deputized and assigned to focus on its strict implementation.

I guess the present government, considering its election promises as top priority has its fatal attraction on EDSA's daily monstrous traffic. Although I agree it's a concern that involves the populace's travel convenience and part of the country's economic concern, drunk driving ranks as one of the nation's and the world's top causes of death.

The police authorities should take a long look at their law enforcement priorities-drunk drivers could, in a way be worse than drug pushers. Their negative impact is more immediate.

Arguably riding a scooter or a small motorcycle to the nearby grocery may be more comfortable and convenient just wearing a pair of sandals, flip-flops or slippers. But it's non-debatable too if the law enforcers say it's actually not safe compared to wearing a pair of shoes.

Considering that the LTO and the MMDA including the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) are serious about implementing road safety rules and regulations among all motorists and considering the ever-increasing number of avoidable fatal accidents among bikers, Section XL (e) of LTO Administrative Order AHS-2008-015 should be taken seriously because that the regulation mandates that riders are prohibited from wearing flip-flops, sandals, slippers (and most especially being barefooted), while operating a motorcycle or scooter on a road or highway.

Violation would mean a P500.00 penalty for the first offence, P700.00 for the second and P1,000.00 plus revocation of driver's license for the third offence.

Here's a fair warning to all our biker friends. It appears the authorities are dead serious about this intensified drive to promote road safety.

I guess the campaign fairly requires proper and safe riding gear, and our gentle reminder is, "it's better to be safe than sorry."

Nothing can beat a regular monthly paying job and with the Supreme Court's decision finally affirming the legality of a salary scheme that gives bus drivers and conductors fixed salaries and additional pay for good performance this significant sector of our working class would finally have its dream of come true of having dignity in its labor.

The law was conceived with the end in mind of finally abolishing the "boundary system", which according to many of our traffic managers is the root cause of drivers' wanton disregard for traffic laws and human life and limb in their quest for earning their 'boundaries' and only making a living after it's reached.

But when the wage scheme was due for implementation in 2012 by the Department of Labor and Employment, it was petitioned against by most transport groups and elevated to the Supreme Court for a ruling on its legality.

According to traffic authorities the positive impact of the ruling is that it would discourage drivers from working long hours and abusing drugs to stay alert to put food on the table and similarly entice drivers to follow traffic rules as they would no longer need to rush to load passengers to take home money for their families' needs.

The downside of this ruling on the other hand is that there would be some bus firms that might have to shut down.

How many times have you been rejected? No, I'm not referring to the object of your love or affection but by a taxi driver who wouldn't want to have anything to do with passing through EDSA on a Friday and now more so on a Saturday.

Well, that culture may have really caused the decline for the use of taxis, which made ride-sharing transport services go on an upswing, not to mention TNVS.

Well, with or without these new alternative modes of transport, under normal circumstances a passenger should never be refused a ride by a public transport utility service provider, most especially a driver with an empty taxi cab.

Despite local laws against it, the malpractice of taxi passenger discrimination has proliferated for reasons unknown. But a new bill, meaning possibly a law for the entire country, is now being introduced to improve the despicable situation. The House of Representatives recently passed on its second reading House Bill No. 7774, also known as the Bill of Rights of Taxi, Tourist Car Transport Service and Vehicle for Hire Passengers .

Under the bill, all passengers have the right to be served by a properly dressed driver in uniform and company ID at all times. The bill enumerates the other rights of taxi passengers, which are as follows:

· The right to a courteous driver who is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

· The right to be picked up and transported to their stated destination, regardless of the length of the journey or traffic condition, by any available on-duty driver;

· The right to direct the route, unless such route would endanger the lives of the occupants or will cause damage to the covered vehicle;

· The right to pay the exact fare exactly as posted in the meter or booking application, receive the exact amount of change, and be issued a printed, electronic or digital official receipt;

· The right to a quiet atmosphere throughout the trip upon request, and the decision over the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the covered vehicle.

If passed into law, the bill seeks to penalize violators with a P1,000.00 fine and seven-day driver's license suspension for the first offense, a P3,000.00 fine and a six-month license suspension for the second offense, and P5,000.00 and a one-year license suspension for the third offense.

One more and last reading to go in the lower house before it moves to the other steps before the bill becomes a law. But I don't think I'll hold my breath on this one.

Happy Motoring!!!

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