Pedestrians top violators  in traffic discipline zone

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Pedestrians, not motorists, are the top violators of traffic rules in the first three weeks of the implementation of the city’s Traffic Discipline Zone (TDZ) on Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue or Diversion Road, according to the Public Safety Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).

PSTMO head Jeck Conlu said they apprehended more than 300 commuters who committed jaywalking on Diversion Road.

“Damo na subong ang mga gajaywalk nga wala sa pedestrian lanes. Laban sa ila wala kabalo sang ila na-commit nga violation,” Conlu said in an interview on Monday.

Conlu added that pedestrians were uninformed that they need to be at the proper loading and unloading areas when riding public utility jeepneys.

“Iban nga mga commuters first time pa lang nakabalo kun diin ang tsakto nga panaugan ukon diin masakay,” he said.

The PSTMO head said that they designated 26 loading and unloading bays in the 14-kilometer Diversion Road.

According to Conlu, they plan to designate more bays, especially in thickly populated areas.

To address the increasing number of pedestrian violators, Conlu said that they have already sent a letter to the City Council requesting for increases in penalties on violations, most of which are considered too low and outdated.

“Nagpadala na kami sulat nga pasakaan ang penalty kay tam-an na ini ka dugay kag barato,” he said.

Currently, pedestrians who commit jaywalking are issued with citation tickets with a corresponding penalty worth P50.

The City Government launched the first TDZ in Diversion Road in January 2020 to strictly implement road and traffic laws.

The move also aims to ease the growing traffic congestion in the metro.

Following the implementation of the TDZ, Conlu said traffic congestion in front of a mall in Diversion Road is now slowly being addressed.

“Very notable gid dira sa tubang sang dako nga mall kay wala ang mga commuters and jeep wala na gastop from time to time ukon biskan diin lang gapundo kay sang una wala pa kita enforcer. But subong tanan na nga motorists including commuters ginatudluan na naton,” Conlu said.

After the Diversion Road, authorities plan to implement the second TDZ at McArthur Drive in Jaro district.