Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The House of Representatives (HOR) has approved on final reading the bill requiring the installation of speed limiters in all public utility vehicles (PUVs). But some are opposing it this early.
Aside from PUVs, House Bill 5911 or the “Speed Limiters Act” requires shuttle services, closed vans or delivery trucks, haulers, cargo trailers, and tanker trucks to install a speed limiter. The bill seeks to impose a “no speed limiter, no registration” policy.
Vehicles move at an agonizingly slow pace everyday because of traffic jams. But on rare occasions that traffic is fast, fatal accidents occur because of overspeeding.
Also read: Southbound provincial buses reroute to C5 to decongest EDSA
Zenaida De Juan had to get off a passenger jeep for fear of her and her daughter’s lives.
“Naranasan ko pa-Antipolo nakababa ako dalawang beses dahil sa matulin na pagtakbo ng jeep. Nanginginig na ako sa takot [kasi] hindi straight ang pagtakbo,” she said.
Less traffic accidents
Around 120 accidents happen each day, according to the Metro Manila Accident Data and Statistics Division. The statistics would hopefully improve with the proposed law.
But this early, some PUV drivers are opposing it.
“Sa madaling araw lang kami nakakabawi. Doon kami nakakahabol sa oras. Nakakaya namin 100 to 120,” taxi driver Ronald Daban said.
The billl sets a fine of P50,000 on the driver, operator, or owner of vehicles with non-functioning or tampered speed limiters, and those without the device.
The driver’s license may also be suspended for one month for the first offense and three months for the second one. The license may be canceled on the third offense.
The franchise of the motor vehicle of the offending owner or operator would also be suspended for three months for the first offense. Subsequent offenses would result in six months suspension for the second offense and a year of suspension for the third.
Tampering of the speed limiter would also be punishable by imprisonment of not more than three years and a fine of P30,000.
Zenaida said she appreciates the proposal, but added that stricter enforcement and observance of traffic rules is still the best way to ensure road safety.
