Traffic courtesy to pedestrians now a law in San Juan City

MANILA, Philippines —Motorists, beware: not stopping your car when someone is crossing the street in the San Juan City can get you penalized.

This, as the San Juan City Council approved an ordinance — the so-called Pedestrian Safety Ordinance of San Juan City — which punishes violations of basic traffic courtesy to pedestrians.

The ordinance was passed earlier in 2013, citing the “need to ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing our streets,” and to encourage people to “use pedestrian lanes knowing that vehicles will stop when they are on the said lanes.”

The ordinance requires “all persons driving any motorized vehicle to stop before traversing any pedestrian lane with at least one person already crossing.”

“It shall thus be prohibited for a motor vehicle to traverse any pedestrian lane if there is at least one person already trying to cross the street on the said lane,” it added.

Meanwhile, the ordinance prohibits people from crossing pedestrian lanes when the green light for vehicles is on. Also, traffic enforcers can authorize people to cross the street.

Motorists found violating the ordinance will be fined P2,000 at most, depending on the number of times the violation was made. Unpaid fines will be levied with a one percent interest per month, but it should not exceed P5,000.

Also, the driver’s license of the motorist violating the ordinance will also be seized and not returned until the fine is paid.