CITOM to put road barriers on S. Osmeña

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will be installing “road barriers” along S. Osmeña Boulevard on Friday to avoid and lessen vehicular accidents in the area.

S. Osmeña Boulevard is one of the city’s major thoroughfares catering to high volume of vehicular traffic.

City Traffic Operations Management executive director lawyer Rafael Yap said they will set up some traffic safety devices like reflectors, pavement markings, signalized intersections, more signages among others to alert the motorists.

The reduction of speed limit, Yap said, would also help address traffic incidents not only at the South Road Properties but also along S. Osmeña Boulevard and other areas in the city.

 Yap said S. Osmeña Boulevard is a “through road” which means the rate of speed of any motor vehicle shall not exceed 40-kilometer per hour.

Section 35 of the Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code) mandates “any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed, not greater nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, the width of the highway, and of any other condition then and there existing.”

The law further states that no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such a speed as to endanger the life, limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit him to bring the vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

However, Yap said instituting traffic measures would not be possible without the assistance of the national agencies like Land Transportation Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group.

“This is a shared mandate because traffic is a shared responsibility,” he said.

He added it would be helpful if these agencies will deploy or deputized their personnel to help man traffic in the concerned area while the city is yet to purchase speed guns.

“We don’t contest that gitagaan ta’g greater responsibility sa traffic management given that it is a local issue but we need their cooperation,” he said.

Yap pointed out that massive information drive campaign on traffic rules and regulations would help ease erring drivers, in some way contribute to traffic jam.

These traffic interventions are part of the city’s objective to beautify the thoroughfare since the road concreting project of DPHW is almost done.

“The initiative is now with the city government on how to beautify and institute safety measures S. Osmeña (in collaboration with the national agencies). It’s a high priority road not just for trucks and heavy vehicles but it’s one of our main entry points for tourist coming from the airport and the pier areas,” Yap said.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella wants to hasten the installation of rumble strips and more signages at SRP following an accident last Sunday killing five people.

 “There should be a study how it (rumble strips) will be installed like meters away from each other para ma-limit gyod ang speed,” he said. — (FREEMAN)