CITOM to probe erring enforcers

CEBU, Philippines - The City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) is looking into reports that some of its enforcers failed to strictly implement the traffic laws against erring drivers.

A traffic enforcer who was earlier caught ignoring several passenger jeepney drivers committing traffic violations will be summoned in the next meeting of the CITOM Board.

Cebu City Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña, member of the board and chairman of the council’s committee on traffic management, said they have required traffic enforcer Rodulfo Acantilado to appear during their next meeting.

CITOM chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem supports the move to investigate not only Acantilado but all erring traffic enforcers.

Acantilado is only one of the several CITOM enforcers observed to be hesitant to apprehend erring drivers who are not using headlights while driving their vehicles on public roads at night.

Section 34 (c) of Republic Act 4136 or the Transportation and Traffic Code provides that, “Every motor vehicle of more than one meter of projected width, while in use on any public highway shall bear two headlights, one on each side, with white or yellowish light visible from the front, which, not later than one-half hour after sunset and until at least one-half hour before sunrise and whenever weather conditions so require, shall both be lighted.”

City Ordinance 801 or the Traffic Code of Cebu City also provides that, “Every vehicle upon a highway at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is insufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 200 feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles.”

Osmeña admitted that he observed several vehicles whose drivers will not switch on their headlights while on public roads at night risking the lives of the pedestrians and to its passengers.

Under the traffic code, a driver can be apprehended and cited for reckless driving for failure to switch on their vehicles’ headlights while driving on public roads at night and may be slapped with fines up to P1,200.

“Gawas sa isyu nga dili manakop ang mga traffic enforcers anang mga drayber sa mga sakyanan nga dili magpasiga og suga magabii, ang ubang traffic enforcer gireklamo usab nga dili mao ang paagi sa pagpanakop,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña said a doctor had complained against a traffic enforcer who strongly hit his car with his palm when he was flagged down, although the city councilor has forgotten the name of the complainant.

“Wala may problema kun dakpon, isyuhan og TOP sa traffic violations nga nahimo sa drayber apan dili maayo nga hapakon sa kamot ang sakyanan,” the councilor said. — (FREEMAN)