Strict enforcement of speed limits sought

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has called on authorities to strictly enforce the 60-kilometer per hour (kph) speed limit in major thoroughfares to ensure public safety.

He made the call following the vehicular accident that killed two passengers and injured 16 others when a passenger jeepney went wayward and hit other vehicles on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Sunday morning.

READ: 2 dead, 16 hurt after jeepney goes wayward along Commonwealth Avenue

The 60 kph rule on the busy road was introduced by Tolentino himself in 2011 as chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The speed limit has since been applied to other major thoroughfares.

“Commonwealth has been called the ‘killer highway’ due to the high number of accidents and fatalities there. To address this, we imposed the 60 km/h speed limit,” Tolentino said.

Initial police reports and CCTV footage indicated that the passenger jeepney involved in the smashup was running at high speed when the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle.

“Rules exist to ensure traffic order and public safety. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of drivers and motorists to observe discipline and road courtesy,” the senator said. — Tina G. Santos