Lawmaker wants training for trike drivers

MANILA, Philippines – A senior administration lawmaker pushed yesterday for safety and professional training for drivers and operators of tricycles, which are accident-prone compared to four-wheeled vehicles.

Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas said tricycles account for nearly 68 percent of the total number of for-hire vehicles. There were over 650,000 public tricycles in 2012.

He said due to the instability of the sidecar attached to the motorcycle, which serves as the passengers’ seat, it puts both the driver and the passengers at risk of accidents. 

He said in Metro Manila alone, passenger tricycle injury ranks fourth in causing motor vehicle injuries. 

“Tricycles play a very crucial role to our riding public, thus we need to ensure our hardworking drivers are safe from harm’s way and equipped and empowered with the proper skills and knowledge in operating their machines carefully and effectively,” Vargas said.

He suggested in his proposed “Tricycle Drivers Safety Act,” that a formal program of instruction to provide skills training, safe driving, and accident avoidance lectures be given to drivers and operators.

The curriculum will be designed by the Land Transportation Office, in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the local government unit having jurisdiction over the tricycle regulation. 

Their franchise shall be granted once a certificate issued by the LTO to the driver or applicant has been presented.