Poe: Traffic enforcement must be at its best for long weekend

Sen. Grace Poe (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Implementation of traffic rules must be at its best during the Holy Week break to avoid a repeat of recent accidents, Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Poe said the recent road mishaps should be urgently addressed, especially now that more motorists would use the roads for the long weekend.

“The rash of road mishaps claiming lives and limbs is appalling and must be urgently addressed,” she said.

“With more motorists using the road, such as this week due to the Holy Week break, authorities could not afford to have a lackluster enforcement of traffic laws and regulations,” she added.

According to Poe, former chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, national government agencies involved in transportation should coordinate with local government units to ensure that enough personnel are stationed in key areas during the Holy Week break.

Poe did not mention any specific accident, but last Sunday, April 13, two individuals died while 16 others were injured when a jeepney went wayward and hit other vehicles along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

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

Last April 8, cops arrested a retired United States (US) Navy serviceman for allegedly causing a multi-vehicle crash along Commonwealth Avenue.  According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the suspect was driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) when it hit the rear of a stopped van.

Fairview Police Station personnel responded, but the SUV moved back and forth again to hit the rear of the stopped van another time, the police report added.

Police officers also said the impact of the second collision sent the van crashing into the rear of a sedan and another van that was parked.

READ: Retired US Navy serviceman nabbed for car crash in Quezon City

Vehicular volume is expected to increase during the Holy Week break, as residents from Metro Manila and other nearby areas take advantage of the holidays and return to their home provinces.

Poe said that in the long run, road accidents due to non-observance of traffic laws may be avoided if an independent transportation safety board is established.

“As a more comprehensive remedy, we reiterate our proposed law for the creation of an independent transportation safety board that can competently carry out timely and evidence-based investigations on the causes of road crashes,” she said.

“The body will have a life-saving mandate of improving safety measures and ensuring their implementation.  Lives lost on the road can never be brought back or compensated,” she added.