PNP wants 30 kph speed limit to reduce accidents

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday asked local government units (LGUs) to impose a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour to avoid road accidents.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa urged local officials nationwide to pass ordinances that would restrict motorists to a maximum speed limit of 30 kph.

The proposal only covers city and municipal roads and not major thoroughfares, Gamboa said.

“Just within city and municipal limits kaya LGU ordinances lang ang execution,” he said in a text message.

Gamboa made the proposal following a spate of fatal road crashes recently.

A collision between a speeding van and a tricycle in Mulanay, Quezon left five persons dead on Dec. 31.

Last Thursday, two persons died when a commuter jeepney figured in an accident in Antipolo City.

The police Highway Patrol Group has documented at least 9,663 road accidents last year. Of the number, 2,608 or about 26.98 percent occurred in city, municipal and barangay roads.

At least 1,186 people were killed in road mishaps last year.

Gamboa said he wants to replicate what they have implemented in President Duterte’s hometown in Davao City, where motorists are limited to 30 kph while on the roads.

Duterte recently approved the procurement of P330 million worth of radar speed guns and other devices for police use to reduce road accidents.