MMDA forms special unit to run after riders not using motorcycle lane

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has formed a special unit to go after motorcyclists who do not use the designated motorcycle lanes on EDSA, the C5 Road, Commonwealth Avenue and on Macapagal Boulevard.

Crisanto Saruca, chief of the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office, said 38 motorcycle riders were nabbed on Monday by the agency’s special unit during its initial operation along the C5 Road.

“When they were stopped by our enforcers, these riders asked where the motorcycle lane was. We pointed to the lane marked in blue paint,” said Saruca.

Saruca said motorcyclists caught not using the blue motorcycle lanes will be stopped, issued violation tickets and will be made to pay the P500 fine.

Saruca said the MMDA has decided to form a special team to show motorcyclists that the agency is serious in enforcing the use of the motorcycle lane on the major roads to prevent road accidents. Saruca added that many motorcyclists are also now ignoring the motorcycle lanes that could lead to serious road accidents.

When the enforcement of the motorcycle lane policy was first started in Feb. 20, 2012, traffic enforcers of the MMDA nabbed 249 offenders on EDSA.

The MMDA has designated EDSA’s fourth lane from the right sidewalk as the motorcycle lane. According to the MMDA, of EDSA’s five lanes (in one direction), the fourth lane from the sidewalk is the safest lane for motorcycles to use based on an MMDA study. The first two lanes of EDSA (going in one direction) from the sidewalk are for use by public utility vehicles and trucks with the third and fifth (“fast lane”) lanes for private vehicles. 

Data from the MMDA’s Road Safety Unit also showed that motorcycles accounted for the highest accident rate with 329 incidents followed by cars with 201 in just the first six months of 2010.

MMDA statistics showed that on the daily average, at least 6,559 motorcycles travel along EDSA’s northbound lane and at least 5,173 travel along the southbound lane.