Intensified campaign vs traffic violators in the province sought

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board urged the Land Transportation Office and its deputized agents to conduct intensified random checkpoints in the province to go after traffic violators.

The Board recently passed a resolution sponsored by PB Members Sun Shimura and Joven Mondigo, Jr. requesting all law enforcers to intensify their campaign against erring drivers.

The resolution specifically mentioned the use of cellular phones while driving, not wearing of seatbelts and use of modified high beam headlights at night.

The Board has also asked the Cebu Provincial Police Office and its various police stations to strictly adopt proactive measures against traffic violations.

Shimura and Mondigo are frequently traveling from Cebu City to the towns and cities in the fourth district in northern Cebu.

Shimura noticed that roads become congested because there are drivers who do not obey traffic rules.

One violation Shimura has noticed is the use of mobile phones while driving which adversely affect driver’s performance.

He said using mobile phone while driving impairs maintenance of lane position, maintenance of appropriate and predictable speed, maintenance of appropriate distances from vehicles in front, and general awareness of other traffic rules.

“Despite the apparent mandatory prohibition of the use of mobile phones while driving, mandatory wearing of seatbelts, and proper use of headlights at night can play in saving lives and reducing injuries on the road, it is taking us so long to implement such practices that encourage safe driving,” Shimura’s resolution reads.

The use of full-beam headlights should also be regulated, he added.

Although it helps drivers see the distance on some dark roads, but Shimura said, it also blinds drivers on the opposite direction who opted to slow down and sometimes even pull over at the road side to avoid accidents.

Shimura saw the need for vigorous enforcement and sustained awareness campaign and publicity drives. — (FREEMAN)