Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III’s decision to emulate Cebu City Hall’s decision to penalize counterflow during vehicular traffic may crystallize support from other local governments to decisively crack down on motorists and public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers fond of engaging in this practice.
But unlike the city government’s seemingly sudden announcement to enforce a ban on counter-flow in traffic, the governor has the benefit of insight into the situation as he specified that the counterflow ban will have exemptions.
These include emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances and vehicles on two lane roads in which counterflow may be done albeit with some difficulty to maneuver on the part of the motorists and PUV drivers.
The counterflow ban is not without flaws and some creative motorists can get around it by employing sneaky tactics, i.e. employing the siren on ambulances and fire trucks to signal to everyone on the road especially the traffic enforcers that they are an “emergency vehicle” when in fact, they are only headed back to base or worse, transporting family and friends to a party or outing.
On learning about the city government’s plan to impose a counterflow ban, the regional Land Transportation Office said it will monitor how it will be implemented to see if it can be applicable to other parts of the Visayas.
Regional LTO chief Victor Caindec was quoted as saying that counterflowing especially in national roads is tantamount to reckless driving, which is specified in its Administrative Order 2014-01 and imposes fines ranging from as low as P2,000 to as high as P10,000.
But City Hall’s proposed penalties for violators are a lot more severe since their vehicles will be impounded for one month at City Hall’s impounding area at the South Road Properties (SRP).
There are also reports that the city may or may not charge a fee for the space allocated to the impounded vehicle. While motorists may whine and complain about losing their vehicles for a month, imagine how taxi and jeepney drivers would feel if their units were impounded.
Then again such is the price that should be, must be paid by those inconsiderate and brazen enough to cut corners and counterflow for their own convenience in utter disregard not only to traffic laws but to the plight of fellow motorists and PUV drivers.
A public hearing should be held by the City Council in order to draw public sentiment and thresh out any reservations or concerns on the counterflow ban even if the vast majority appears to be favorable to this measure.
And if the counterflow ban is to be enforced, it should be done without fear or favor as the old cliché goes. We hope traffic enforcers would be thoroughly trained and oriented on how to implement such a ban and to stand their ground against these violators, which admittedly is easier said than done.
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