Ill-trained drivers kill

Renowned journalist Lourdes “Chit” Estella-Simbulan’s untimely death from a road mishap on Commonwealth Avenue, better known as Quezon City’s “killer highway,” brings to fore the urgency of adopting better road training for our drivers.

While there is also a need to review how to improve compliance of a supposed 60-kilometer speed limit imposed on that road stretch as well as once again examining the incentive systems that bus companies impose to that encourages races to get passengers, ultimately it is the quality of bus drivers that should be looked into.

Every day, the Land Transportation Office in its many offices nationwide lets loose a potential killer by issuing a license to a new driver who does not always have the skill and aptitude to handle a simple vehicle, much more one that carries a multitude of passengers.

Driver error continues to be the country’s biggest reason for accidental road mishaps resulting to death, a clear indicator that the current licensing system is not in place to ensure that commuters and the public-at-large are protected.

Too easy and a bit of petty corruption

It’s common knowledge that it does not take much to get a new driver’s license in the professional category, more so for the non-professional grade. The tests – in both written and practical levels – may have some teeth, but the passing grades are often too low. And of course, there is that issue of petty corruption in the issuance of license.

Often, a young adult who has been given a few hours of driving lessons, usually by a neighbor or a friend who is not qualified to teach, would surprisingly pass the tests and get a license that would qualify him to sit behind the steering wheel and take to the road.

And this equally applies for those who will drive a motorcycle. Not only do we not have clear enough rules for motorcycle driving, but even four-wheel drivers are not knowledgeable about how to deal with motorcycles on the road.

Motorcycles are a relatively new craze for Filipinos. Whereas the aspiration before had been to buy a car, today’s average worker now dreams of owning a motorcycle.

And with such low financing schemes available, it is not surprising that the roads are filling up with these two-wheel drives. Motorcycles may be a great way to save on transportation fees with the way fuel prices have been rising in recent times.

Motorcycle deaths

But this has also resulted in a doubling of motorcycle deaths in the past year, which has partly been aggravated by the double digit rise in new motorcycle sales in recent years. This robust forecast in sales is seen this year, and even until 2013.

The problem, however, is that our government regulators are still not prepared to cope with these growing numbers. If the Department of Public Works and Highways cannot provide special lanes for motorcycles in major city streets, it should then spell out and popularize road rules that will allow a harmonious relationship between four- and two-wheel vehicle drivers.

The rise in motorcycle numbers on EDSA, for example, has made it all the more important for regulators to insist on proper lane changing habits that would apply to all types of vehicles including motorcycles, private cars and public utility vehicles.

This way, hopefully there would be fewer accidents, perhaps even less traffic congestion, if lane changing is more strictly regulated. A campaign to make drivers aware of road courtesies when dealing with motorcycles would also come in handy.

Qualified drivers

There are many other ways to make our roads safe for those who use it, but I think it all starts with having qualified drivers. First of all, an overhaul of the qualifying system is urgently needed.

There should be stricter accreditation of schools that will train those who want to get a license as a qualification prior to taking the licensure exams. This way, we can better ensure that those who will go through the licensing tests are really qualified.

It could be a good idea also to go for segmented learning. Specifically, those who want to learn about motorcycle driving will have to take lessons and tests that apply to just this. Likewise, for other vehicle categories depending on size or use.

This can be tweaked perhaps to make it less expensive to those taking the exams. I understand that the biggest cost nowadays in learning how to drive is the tuition being charged even by some driving schools which do not have qualified instructors and driving aid facilities.

For our aspiring drivers, especially those who need the skill to earn a living, there must be a way to give quality training that does not cost as much. And this is where the state should help out, more than giving dole-outs.

A responsibility

Having a license to drive a vehicle is first and foremost a responsibility. Our countrymen must recognize that safety for themselves, their passengers and people who use the commuter system is priority. There is no excuse for letting irresponsible drivers loose on our streets.

The sooner government realizes the need to strengthen its driving licensure system, the sooner we will stop all this senseless carnage that we are witnessing on the roads.

www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net

Soon the collegiate basketball season will start. If the competitive games in the ongoing FilOil Flying V Pre-Season tournament are indications, basketball fans can look forward to another exciting UAAP and NCAA season.

Apart from these two major leagues in Metro Manila, hundreds of collegiate teams are also deep in preparation for their forthcoming “mother league” games. There are over 30 collegiate leagues all over the country involving over 200 teams.

Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL), which conducts the season ending competitions among champions of all leagues, will monitor the goings-on of these different leagues as teams work their way towards winning not only the “mother league” championships but also the regional competitions and the Sweet 16 Finals of the Champions League.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net for more news about collegiate basketball nationwide.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.