Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recorded an increase in accidents and traffic violations that coincide with the suspension of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
“The monitored traffic violations since the suspension of NCAP have increased. In May of this year alone, 32,739 traffic violations were recorded,” MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes said.
He noted there was a rise in accidents in the last quarter of 2022 after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAP on Aug. 30 of that year.
READ: SC stops contested traffic policy for at least 5 months
Artes made the statement after a hit-and-run incident at the southbound lane of EDSA-Shaw Boulevard Tunnel Wednesday morning. It involved a motorcycle rider hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and was run over by a tanker while passing the tunnel.
According to MMDA’s monitoring, the motorcycle and SUV were both at the EDSA bus carousel lane, prompting the agency to warn motorists anew of steering clear from the lane.
“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to a greater risk,” Artes said.
The MMDA said it will “coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General to show the agency’s data and to possibly file a motion for the Supreme Court to consider lifting the TRO imposed upon the agency’s NCAP.”
