MMDA chief wants to reclassify concrete mixer trucks as ‘dangerous’ vehicles

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is proposing that concrete mixer trucks be reclassified as “dangerous” vehicles, following the death of a college student crushed to death under such a vehicle in Quezon City on Tuesday.

In a statement, MMDA chair Francis Tolentino said concrete mixers, like fuel tankers, should be considered hazardous-type vehicles. Vehicles classified as dangerous are required to have safety features such as prominent signs and lights, among others.

“If you’re driving a dangerous vehicle, other vehicles must stay away at least 50 feet and you should not go nearer than 50 feet to the vehicle you’re trailing,” Tolentino said.

Drivers of dangerous vehicles must also possess a special driver’s license showing they have been specially trained to operate the truck, Tolentino added.

Tolentino cited MMDA data showing that concrete mixers figure in at least one vehicular accident every week in Metro Manila.

The usual cause? “Cement mixer drivers are usually in a hurry to catch up with their delivery schedule,” Tolentino explained. He noted for example that ready-mix concrete trucks are given only 90 minutes to deliver their load to the construction site or the mix would start to harden.

Under the international motor vehicle classification, concrete mixers are classified along with trailer trucks as ordinary Class 8 heavy duty trucks, or those with gross vehicle weight rating of 14,969 kilograms or more.

Tolentino’s proposal came on the heels of an accident in Quezon City on Tuesday in which a concrete mixer fell on its side and crushed a passenger jeepney next to it at the corner of Araneta and Del Monte avenues, killing college student Marie Cherrie Inzon and injuring eight others.

Inzon is to be buried on Saturday.