It should be emphasized that everyone using the public roadways must use the streets responsibly in the interest of public safety
The recent decision of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to impose a heavy fine on motorcycle drivers who take cover from the rain underneath flyovers and footbridges, thus blocking the smooth flow of traffic, is long overdue.
It’s about time the MMDA finally got useful.
Late last July, the MMDA announced motorcycle riders caught sheltering underneath flyovers and footbridges during heavy rains would be subjected to a P1000 fine, to be enforced under the single-ticketing system implemented by the MMDA.
A misinformed senator claims the fine is too stiff for motorcycle drivers who earn a living driving their motorcycles.
I disagree. In my opinion, the P1000 fine is just and proper.
Almost all motorcycle drivers are abusive, inconsiderate, thoughtless, uncaring, reckless, and they lack road discipline.
Statistics released by the MMDA indicate most traffic accidents in the National Capital Region involve at least one motorcycle.
Such accidents involving motorcycles are often instances when the motorcycle driver races at breakneck speed, miscalculates the flow of traffic, and ends up skidding on the road, hitting a pedestrian or a vehicle, or damaging public property.
Going to specifics, what are many motorcycle drivers notorious for, particularly in Metropolitan Manila?
Many motorcycle drivers blatantly disobey traffic regulations.
They routinely run an unauthorized counter flow when the road gets crowded, and when they are required to stop at an intersection, they block pedestrian lanes indiscriminately.
As a result, pedestrians must sidestep them and run the risk of getting hit by a motor vehicle, all because these abusive motorcycle drivers inconsiderately occupied the pedestrian lanes.
They overtake on the right instead of on the left side of the road, and in reckless disregard of nearby vehicles. Even if they do not have the right of way, they insist on forcing their way even when the vehicle ahead of them is halfway through making a turn.
Many motorcycle drivers give the dirty finger to motorists who blow their horns to remind the motorcycle drivers to follow traffic regulations.
More often than not, motorcycle drivers shamelessly disregard traffic lights at intersections which are not manned by traffic cops or MMDA traffic personnel.
Even if there are lanes on major thoroughfares for their use, these roadway outlaws on two wheels weave in and out of the road lanes for the use of regular motor vehicles.
This they do indiscriminately, at their whim and pleasure, and unmindful of the other motor vehicles on the same road, which are forced to make sudden adjustments and run the risk of colliding with other motor vehicles.
On many occasions, motorcycle drivers travel right smack in the middle of the lane, absolutely uncaring if they are blocking the way of vehicles behind them.
These two-wheel mobile road hazards also stop indiscriminately for anything, ranging from buying something from an ambulant vendor, to picking up someone.
When they park their motorcycles in an area with limited room, they often make it a point to waste as much space as they can so as to deprive cars and other four-wheeled vehicles a chance at making the most of the available parking space.
Motorcycles delivering food are especially notorious for this unlawful and menacing phenomena on the roadways. I have a list of the names of their restaurants-principals.
One particular menacing behavior of motorcycle drivers is their penchant to shelter themselves underneath flyovers and footbridges during a heavy rainpour.
They indiscriminately occupy any space they can find, and, during their indefinite stay there, they expect motor vehicles to make use of whatever available space there is left available under the flyover or footbridge.
In sum, almost all motorcycle drivers think only of themselves, and could not care less about the dangerous consequences of their recklessness and thoughtlessness on the roadways to others.
The aforesaid P1000 fine announced by the MMDA and currently imposed by it on abusive motorcycle drivers is a step in the right direction against these abusive users of our roadways.
Another measure the MMDA should implement is a fine of P1000 to be imposed on motorcycle drivers who block pedestrian lanes; those who station themselves on the other side of the road when waiting at intersections; those who engage in unauthorized counter flows; and those found on the wrong lane of a major thoroughfare.
The amount of P1000 may be stiff for motorcycle drivers who earn a living by driving their motorcycles.
However, it is the stiff amount which will compel troublesome motorcycle drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations.
At the end of the day, it should be emphasized that everyone using the public roadways must use the streets responsibly in the interest of public safety.
Quite frankly, public safety in the roadways must prevail over the income of motorcycle drivers who earn their living by driving their motorcycles on public roads.
