Councilor: Implement road speed law

CEBU, Philippines — The implementation of the Road Speed Limiter law is long overdue, but Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO)-Traffic Management Committee chair and City Councilor Rey Gealon hopes its full implementation will indeed aid in reducing road accidents in the city.

Gealon, in a privilege speech during a recent council session, echoed the sentiments of Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II over Republic Act 10916, or the Road Speed Limiter Act that was supposed to be fully implemented in 2016 after it lapsed into law.

Mendoza stressed that they have to do something now for the interest and protection of all road users.

Gealon, in his speech, noted that as per World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death of children and young adults aged 5-29 years.

A study by WHO also found that a 5 percent increase in average speed leads to a 10 percent increase in injury accidents and a 20 percent increase in fatal crashes.

Gealon further explained that more than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users, namely, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Around 1.3 million people die in road accidents around the world, said Gealon, while between 20 million to 50 million are injured, including injuries that result in disability, while in the Philippines, an average of 32 people die every day as a result of road accidents.

 It may be recalled that last May 4, 2024, a fatal accident happened at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) wherein a Nissan Urvan v-hire overturned and flipped over multiple times after the front left tire of the van burst. The van was notably overspeeding as seen in the viral video that captured the tragedy that killed two passengers,  Gealon cited.

Aside from that incident, Gealon told The Freeman there are many other unfortunate incidents like this in the city, but he could not yet give the exact figures to date.

One of the major factors that contribute to the severity of these accidents is speed, Gealon stressed.

 Our country has already taken a positive step towards reducing fatal crashes by enacting the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016. The Road Speed Limiter Act aims to promote safer travel for commuters and elevate the standards of public transportation safety across the country,  Gealon said.

The law introduces the use of speed limiter devices which electronically or mechanically control the speed of a vehicle without affecting the vehicle components.

Covered vehicles, such as closed vans, haulers or cargo trucks, PUVs, shuttle services, and tanker trucks are required to install speed limiters.

The Department of Transportation has recently announced that it is gearing towards the full implementation of the Road Speed Limiter Law in PUVs, such as buses and minibuses and Gealon hopes will also be applied to taxis and PUJs.

 For our part, the LGUs are crucial in the implementation of the speed limits prescribed in Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. We have our Traffic Ordinance which classify city roads in accordance with Republic Act 4136 in order to set the appropriate speed limits,  Gealon said.

Despite the road classification, Gealon noted that  there is still no cohesive road use because motorized and non-motorized transport still co-exist simultaneously in the same roads and big buses and trucks that are not designed to traverse small roads are still being allowed to do so by the LTFRB and LTO on authority of provisional permits while there is no approved Local Public Transport Route Plan.

 Thus, the implementation of the Road Speed Limiter Law is long overdue and hopefully will aid in reducing road accidents while the country s public transport modernization program is still undergoing birth pangs and other hardships,  Gealon ended.

Meanwhile, Gealon also disclosed to The Freeman that several projects were approved during the second South Road Properties (SRP) Governing Board meeting which he also chairs.

 They can commence construction subject to the condition that they must undertake the same on a 24/7 work schedule in order not to further disrupt traffic flow in their respective project areas,  Gealon said.

This project includes the Smash SM Seaside project, a link bridge construction, PLDT underground cabling, and PWRI for the rerouting of pipes and the construction of the weighbridge.   ATO (CEBU NEWS)