Survey: 78% of Dabawenyos agree with speed limit

ABOUT 78 percent of Dabawenyos agreed with the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 39, which sets speed limits for vehicles in the city. The figure is based on the survey conducted by the Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao (UM).

IPO director Maria Linda B. Arquiza, in Wednesday’s Club 888 at Marco Polo Hotel Davao, said that the survey on the speed limit was conducted from May 16 to 26, 2014, using a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level. A total of 1,200 different individuals were chosen from the three congressional districts.

Adrian Tamayo, IPO specialist on politics and governance, said the survey included drivers of private and public vehicles, commuters, pedestrians, and the general public.

According to the survey, 52% of those who agreed with the EO saying that safety was the primary reason that they are in favor of the EO.

Some Dabawenyos also “consider setting the speed limit as a bundle of public

benefits, safety and discipline (35%) and as bundle of safety, discipline, and pride of the landmark law (10%).”

Only 14% did not agree with the EO, pointing out the speed limit caused them to be late for work (32%). There were also those saying that the EO has caused traffic and thus making them late for work (36%) while 16% said in addition to traffic and tardiness, the speed limit also affected the economy.

Only 8% of the respondents said they have no idea on the EO or “have decided not to provide their opinion on the matter.”

The survey also showed that majority of Dabawenyos agreed that the speed limits set in designated boundaries are just right: 75% agreed with the 30 kilometers per hour (kph), 80% said the 40 kph is just right, and 77% said that the 60 kph is also right.

There were also those who wanted to increase the speed limit, 19% for the 30 kph, 8% for the 40 kph, and 17% for the 60 kph. But there were a few who wanted the speed limit reduced: 3% for the 30 kph, 2% for the 40 kph, and 4% for the 60 kph.

About 62% of the public also said the P1,278 penalty is just right but around 28% said they wanted it raised while only 9% wanted it reduced.

In terms of satisfaction with the implementation of the EO, 74% said they were “very highly satisfied” with the implementation of the EO, 13% weree moderately satisfied, 12% said it needed improvement, and only 1% said that they were not satisfied.

The implementing agencies are Traffic Management Center (TMC), Traffic group-DCPO, Land Transportation Office-Davao City, and Highway Patrol Group. RJFL