Traffic violators have field day in Metro

The number of traffic law violators has doubled since the Makati City Regional Trial Court came out with a decision ordering the agency to stop its Metropolitan Traffic Ticket (MTT) system and its No Contact Traffic Apprehension (NCTA) scheme.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios said he was dismayed at how motorists now openly violate traffic laws, likening them to kids let loose without their parents’ watchful eyes.

He said traffic law violators monitored in the last two days following the court decision went up by as much as 50 percent, especially along the entire 24-kilometer stretch of EDSA.

Common violations, Vergel de Dios pointed out, include public utility vehicles plying out-of-line routes and colorum or private vehicles being used for hire.

"EDSA is a major concern. Our specific problem areas are those near flyovers since buses tend to violate ‘no loading and unloading’ rules and regulations," he said.

The MMDA official explained that traffic enforcers are doing their best to keep the situation manageable although he admitted that there are areas where traffic has become chaotic.

The volume of vehicle using major roads, he pointed out, went up significantly because the owners of those banned under the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program, or number coding, are now ignoring the law.

"Ang hirap kasi sa mga driver natin, alam naman nilang bawal at kahit pa walang manghuhuli sa kanila, ginagawa pa rin nila," Vergel de Dios said in disappointment. "Sana sumunod na lang sila sa patakaran."

The MMDA official said the problem stems from the court’s decision to stop the MMDA from implementing the MTT system of issuing traffic violation tickets to violators and the NCTA, a scheme which arms MMDA personnel with video or digital cameras in catching erring motorists in the act.

He once again reminded motorists that the ruling is not yet final and executory.

For the time being, MMDA traffic enforcers will continue to issue MTTs and will continue to do their jobs according to existing traffic enforcement and management laws although it has been observed that they have not been as aggressive in apprehending violators in the last few days.

Meanwhile, sources said that transport groups are now planning to ask the Makati City Regional Trial Court to cite MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando in contempt of court because of his refusal to follow a lawful court order.

However, Claire de la Fuente of the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association, said she would not want to comment on the matter for now.

Zeny Maranan of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines said she has heard of the plans, but stressed her group would not be part of such moves.

Those planning to ask the court to have the MMDA chief cited, she explained, are EDSA bus operators who are the most affected by the MTT and NCTA schemes.