Up next: Higher fines for jaywalking

MANILA-Philippines–Apparently to complement the recent increase in fines imposed on colorum or out-of-line public utility vehicles, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is considering raising the fines for jaywalkers as it cited the alarming number of accidents involving undisciplined pedestrians.

“We have been recording a high number of road accidents involving pedestrians. Perhaps we should also increase the fines for jaywalking,” MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said Sunday on his agency’s weekly radio program.

From 2010 to 2012, the MMDA recorded 15,500 pedestrian-related accidents, of which 495 resulted in deaths. Based on the 2012 figures, Quezon City has the most number of fatal accidents.

In 2013, around 5,800 pedestrians figured in road accidents on Metro Manila roads.

“The rate of the pedestrian-related accidents is so high and a lot of people involved in them are jaywalkers,” Tolentino noted. “With pedestrians (and not motorists) violating traffic rules, they end up being hit and run over even by small vehicles.”

Despite the construction of footbridges and designation of zebra lanes, a lot of pedestrians still choose to jaywalk and risk life and limb, he added.

In 2012, the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the MMDA composed of the mayors of the 17 local governments in the capital, issued a resolution increasing the penalty for jaywalking from P150 to P200.

Violators, however, are asked to choose between paying the fine or attending a 30-minute seminar on disaster response and assistance given by the MMDA, according to Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos.

Tolentino noted that even the local government units which enforce the same rules on jaywalking should now consider increasing their respective penalties.