Addressing familiar problems

Now that things seem to be going back to normal with all the good news about lower infection rates and more people vaccinated, I think we should address old, familiar problems. I’m sure those of you who have begun venturing out of your homes after months in forced hibernation have been reminded just how much you hate traffic. Gone are the free and empty streets during the strict lockdowns. And with Christmas just around the corner, the familiar horrendous traffic around malls has begun.

Traveling along EDSA is a lot slower compared to past months. I can literally see red with all the taillights in front of me. This shouldn’t be a surprise as this is not something we have not been used to pre-pandemic. More cars are probably entering Metro Manila from nearby provinces as travel restrictions have eased. Even with Metro Manila now classified as low risk for COVID, I think people should still adhere to the usual health protocols, more so if one decides to enter a place packed with people.

Motorcycles have dominated the roads. I appreciate these riders as they have become essential during the pandemic. I only wish the government has a way of determining who should be allowed to drive. You are guaranteed at least one bad experience with a motorcycle every day. Those who cut in front of you from the right side, those who weave in and out between vehicles as if every trip is an emergency, those using bike lanes to get out of jams, and those who just don’t think traffic rules apply to them like running red lights, counterflowing and entering one-way streets. It just makes your blood boil.

Dashcams with rear-facing cameras are now a must. If it catches any of these “kamote riders”, the least you can do is give the video to authorities in the hope they track these offenders down or post them on the many YouTube channels dealing with this problem. Offenders just scoot away if they hit a vehicle or scratch side mirrors and the like. If the license plates are captured on video, then there is a chance of them being found and cited for the violations. Repeat offenders must be stripped of their licenses. The same goes for public utility drivers who have steadily returned to ply their routes. I would think they would have shed their bad habits after more than a year of inactivity, but old habits do die hard.

I am all for returning to pre-pandemic life. But we must be aware the coronavirus has not been totally eradicated. Europe is again reeling from a surge in cases after countries lifted restrictions. With some governments mulling implementing several restrictions, resistance and pushback by their citizens are much more aggressive. We do not want that happening here.