Motoring Today Column

Jul 26, 2023

Sudden downpours are the bane of motorists, causing pools of water so easy to hydroplane on, flash floods to drown engines, poor visibility, hazard lights turned on, and motorcycle riders sheltering underneath flyovers and footbridges, or any shelter they can find along thoroughfares to wait out the rain.

The longer the rains last, the more motorcycle riders crowd underneath the shelter provided by flyovers and footbridges, creating bottlenecks that cause congestion.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chairman Romando Artes stated the obvious in news reports, pointing out that motorcycle riders are endangering themselves and other motorists with this practice.

The news reports also indicated that Artes is looking to solve this problem using a carrot and stick strategy.

The stick is the warning the motorists who shelter from the rain underneath flyovers and footbridges, or anywhere where they block traffic, will be charged with obstruction and fined P500.

The carrot is providing shelter for motorcycle riders with tents at gasoline stations and keeping open sheltered lay-by areas or emergency bays in major thoroughfares.

Artes indicated that the MMDA will only begin to strictly penalize motorcycle riders blocking traffic during heavy rains when tent shelters at gasoline stations are already in place.

It should be interesting to see if the MMDA will really push through with this plan to be strict with motorcycle riders obstructing traffic sheltering from rains.

And if gasoline stations will agree to have the MMDA set up tents as temporary shelters for motorcycles during downpours.

Observers note that this carrot-and-stick strategy for solving the rainy day problem appears tenuous or not quite doable.

Traffic enforcers are not among the most reliable at staying at their posts during rains.

It would take a lot of manpower to apprehend and cite a crowd of motorcycle riders obstructing traffic underneath flyovers in downpours.

Convincing gasoline stations to participate in this solution is another problem.

Still it is good to know that the MMDA acting chairman is aware of the problem and looking for ways to solve it.

Digital Driver's Licenses

Another solution to a problem that also seems tenuous or impractical to many motorists is the Land Transportation Office initiative to issue electronic driver's licensesor eDLs.

The LTO says motorists can present theeDLs to traffic law enforcers in lieu of plastic drivers licenses or the paper-printed kind.

TheLTOissued Memorandum Circular No. HAV-2023-240 setting guidelines for the issuance, recognition, and use of eDLs which took effect on July 26, 2023.

The LTO says this new initiative aligns with government's mandate for line agencies to digitalize functions and services for efficiency and transparency.

Also this new eDL initiative may have been fast-tracked as part of the solution to the mess caused by lack of supply of plastic cards for licenses.

According to the memo, the eDL can serve as a valid authority, identification, and an alternative form of authorization to operate a motor vehicle.

Holders of valid driver's licenses can access their eDL by creating an account on the Land Transportation Management System portal.

However, the eDL can't be merely presented as a photo or screenshot on a smartphone or tablet or any digital device.

LTO officers and deputized agents must witness the drivers or riders signing on to the LTMS portal with their phones or tablets and accessing their eDLs.

And then the LTO officers and deputized agents, using their own handheld devices, will verify and authenticate the eDL by scanning its QR or bar code.

The eDL is a cool idea. Motorists won't have to fear forgetting their licenses at home as long they have their smartphones with them.

But to some motorists the process of accessing and presenting the eDL seem tedious, and it needs some familiarity with the use of smartphones or devices to access the internet.

From the looks of it, the eDL can only be accessed in areas where phone signals are strong. One needs a good phone, and subscribe to a good mobile phone provider.

So it really is better that you have your physical driver's license with you - plastic or paper printed - when driving.

With that in mind, some are saying the eDL initiative seems superfluous, or redundant to say the least.

Hyundai Charging Station

Hyundai Motor Philippines is partnering with SM Supermalls to set up charging stations for electric vehicles at select malls.

The first of the EV charging stations is now open for use at the North Parking building of the SM Mall of Asia.

Says Mark Parulan, general manager for marketing of HMPh: Hyundai Motor Philippines partner with SM Mall of Asia, or SM in general, to provide additional support to our EV customers. We want to make sure that the range anxiety would not be present in their minds when they buy an EV car."

The great thing about this initiative from Hyundaiis that all owners of EVs and PHEVs with Type 2 plugs can charge their cars at the station.

Hyundaiand SM will be setting up charging stations at The Podium, SM City Fairview, SM City Clark, SM City Cebu and SM Lanang Premier.

Happy Motoring!!!

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