342 motor riders caught

During the first week of its renewed implementation of the motorcycle lane in selected major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it apprehended 342 violators.

According to Bong Nebrija, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, the figure also included those caught committing other motorcycle-related offenses such as failing to wear the proper gear and not turning the headlights on.

“We are making a tally of these apprehensions and accidents so we can show the result during another consultation with different motorcycle groups [today],” Nebrija said during the agency’s radio program on Sunday.

While almost 200 violators were cited on the first day, the figure went down to around 30 in the following days, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said, attributing the decline to a successful information drive.

No fatal accident involving motorcycle riders was also recorded during the week, Pialago noted.

Motorcycle groups have offered their support to the MMDA in catching violators and educating other riders on safety measures and traffic rules.

The MMDA started the strict reimplementation of the use of motorcycle lanes on Edsa, Commonwealth Avenue, C5 Road and Macapagal Boulevard on Nov. 14 to instill discipline among riders. Riders can swerve from the lanes designated for their use only when making a turn. Violators face a P500 fine.

After holding consultations, the MMDA modified the policy and allowed a second motorcycle lane on Edsa and C5 Road during rush hour, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The MMDA said that out of 265 vehicular accidents recorded daily in Metro Manila, 30 involved motorcycle riders. In 2015, there were 18,668 motorcycle-related accidents with 238 resulting in deaths, it added.