Slower speed limit for trucks, buses

From 60 kilometers per hour (kph), the speed limit for passenger buses and trucks on Metro Manila’s main roads will be slowed to 50 kph to reduce the number of accidents, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced.

The new speed limit will be enforced on EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Araneta Avenue, CP Garcia Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, South Luzon Expressway, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Magsaysay Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Marcos Highway and McArthur Highway.

Jojo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said accidents involving buses and trucks can be attributed to overspeeding.

“For the safety of the commuters, we moved to reduce the speed limit on trucks and buses along EDSA and other major roads,” said Garcia.

The lowering of the speed limit was approved by the Metro Manila Council, which is composed of the metropolis’ mayors and other officials.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the reduction of speed limit is timely, with the strict implementation of the yellow lane policy on EDSA.

“We now see improvement in the travel time of buses on the yellow lane,” Lim said.

The new speed limit will be enforced next year because the resolution has yet to be signed by the Metro Manila mayors. The agency also needs to coordinate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The MMDA records from 20 to 40 accidents and stalled vehicles daily on EDSA alone. Traffic flow is affected whenever accidents happen.