Commuter safety advocate asks gov’t to implement innovative policies to ease MM traffic

Commuter safety advocate asks gov’t to implement innovative policies to ease MM traffic (Photo: Jun Acullador/Flickr)

MANILA—The government should implement innovative policies that would contribute to the easing of traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

National Center for Commuters Safety and Protection President Elvira Medina urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to utilize information technology for stricter enforcement of traffic management policies in the metropolis.

She proposed that the no contact apprehension policy of the MMDA should be coordinated with local government units and implemented at a larger scale in Metro Manila.

“The no contact apprehension policy should be implemented strictly and should not only focus on roads which usually have a high volume of vehicular flow,” Medina said in an interview with reporters during the emergency traffic summit held Thursday at the MMDA office in Makati City, which aims to tackle proposals to improve traffic condition in Metro Manila.

Traffic enforcement cameras that will detect traffic regulation violations should be installed across the streets of the metropolis.

She also suggested that traffic enforcers be provided body cameras to deter abuses on motorists that are being apprehended for traffic violations.

Moreover, an intelligent transport system should be established through traffic lights that can adapt or change traffic signals based on real-time demand and flow of vehicles along the roads.

Medina also urged the government to be transparent on informing the public of infrastructure projects that will be undertaken once the emergency powers for the traffic crisis will be granted by Congress.

“The government should be informed of the strategies and policies to address traffic and let the commuters, transport groups and various stakeholders to take part in this endeavor,” according to her.

The House of Representatives transportation committee recently approved a measure giving emergency powers to the President to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the country.

Under the measure, the President, through the traffic chief, is authorized to enter into negotiated contracts for priority projects for the construction, repair, restoration, rehabilitation, improvement or maintenance of critical infrastructure projects, facilities and any directly related procurement of goods and services.

The measure also prohibits any court, except the Supreme Court, from issuing any temporary restraining order against the bidding or procurement of priority projects, including infrastructure projects, software or IT components and attendant acquisition of the goods and consulting services as identified by the traffic czar.