TOP VIOLATORS: To educate millennials, traffic managers resort to ‘hugot lines’

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) initiated a new approach to educate Ilonggo millennials on traffic laws and ordinances by “hugot” (sentimental or emotional) traffic signage.

PSTMO head Jeck Conlu said 13 hugot traffic signs will be mounted along the city’s first Traffic Discipline Zone (TDZ) in Senator Benigno Aquino Avenue (Diversion Road), Mandurriao district.

According to Conlu, the new approach is aimed at millennials who comprise 60 percent of traffic rule violators in the TDZ.

“Pag-implement sang Traffic Discipline Zone na-observe namon nga kadamo gid sang mga millennials naton ang indi updated sa road signages (sic) and road regulations. Kadam-an sa ila nakita naga-violate kag wala gasunod,” he said in an interview on Monday.

According to Pew Research Center, anyone born between 1981 and 1996 (ages 23 to 38 in 2019) is considered a millennial. Millennials are sometimes referred to as “echo boomers” due to a major surge in birth rates in the 1980s and 1990s, and because millennials are often the children of the baby boomers.

Since jaywalking is one of the most common violation committed by pedestrians, Conlu said the hugot signs will be located in the 26 loading and unloading bays along Diversion Road.

“Kalabanan sa nagatabok sa aton Diversion road, mga millennials, kalabanan sa ila ginabalewala ang no jaywalking signs. That is why we decided the 13 hugot signs will be placed in the loading and unloading areas to effectively educate pedestrians especially millennials,” he lamented.

The 13 hugot signs will be present in the entire stretch of the TDZ for the whole month of February, which is also the love month.

“Hopefully, this will be an effective way to catch the attention of not only the millennials but also the public,” Conlu said.

Some of the hugot lines are: “Hit and Run: Dapat Panagutan at huwag Takbohan,” Keep Distance: Kailangan talaga ng Space para maka Move-on,” “Pedestrian Lane: Yung Feeling na Dinadaan daanan ka lang,” “Turn Left with Care: Pwede mangaliwa pero Ingat ka Lang.”

The PSTMO chief said they are planning to introduce more traffic “hugot” lines in the coming summer and the opening of classes.

Last January, the city government officially launched the 14-kilometer stretch of Diversion Road as the city’s first TDZ.

The TDZ will serve as a discipline area for the drivers and the public where road and traffic rules will be strictly implemented.