10 held for violating ‘motorcycle lane’ rule–MMDA

MOTORCYCLE LANE. Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard implements the motorcycle lane traffic scheme Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — At least 10 motorcycle riders were arrested on the first day of the “motorcycle lane” rule on Macapagal Highway in Pasay City and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer Jack Sevilla said on Monday.

The 10 errant drivers were given a 15-minute lecture on the use of
motorcycle lanes and other safety measures on motorcycle riding, such as keeping headlights on, wearing protective gear like helmet, shoes and keeping a license with Restriction Code 1, Sevilla said.

The MMDA has designated the fourth lane of Commonwealth Ave in Quezon City, and the first lane from the sidewalk on Macapagal Highway, as motorcycle lanes.

Light vehicles can use the 4th lane at Commonwealth but only to “pass through,” according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Engineer Joel Donato.

Starting next week, motorcyclists who do not use the designated lanes will be fined P500, lawyer Yves Gonzales of the MMDA also said.

Deaths from vehicular accidents involving motorcycles have been rising in the past years, prompting authorities to assign specific lanes for the two-wheeled vehicles.

Karen Boncocan, INQUIRER.net