Traffic chaos

First let me begin by saying the majority of taxi, jeepney and bus drivers I have used while in Davao have been courteous as well as being careful, patient, skilled and safe. These drivers have the ability to maneuver their vehicles in chaotic traffic, confined spaces and in tight situations and in ways which I could never manage.

While visiting Davao this month I have witnessed an accident almost on a daily basis, something which has never happened during previous visits. The accidents have been primarily between a vehicle and a motor bike and fortunately have not resulted in fatalities, only damaged bikes and traffic pandemonium while the drivers sort out why the collision occurred.

I keep asking myself why I now witness so many more accidents than ever before. Obviously there are more cars, bigger wagons and SUVs and bikes on the roads and so accidents are more likely, but I think there are other factors involved.

A few days ago I took a jeepney from downtown to Toril. In my assessment the driver drove the vehicle in a reckless fashion, was speeding, not looking at the road ahead when accepting payment from passengers, and to my horror, he was using his mobile phone while driving. It was fortunate I arrived at Toril in one piece, albeit a little shaken. The drive back to downtown was better.

If a government is not able to develop and manage a safe and efficient transportation system for its citizens, then it must ensure that the hundreds of thousands of people who rely daily upon public transport, can access a system which is safe, reliable and efficient while being assured the system is being strictly regulated and monitored by the government.

As a tourist, chaos and mayhem on the roads indicate poor infrastructure and a society which is above the law. Obviously there are rules and regulations which traffic officials can enforce to penalize and punish drivers who transgress. Why is this not happening? I cannot recall while in Davao, seeing a traffic enforcer caution or issue a ticket to any driver but I have seen less than perfect drivers who should have been cautioned. It would be wise politically to employ more traffic supervisors to monitor traffic and to issue warnings and fines. This would reduce the number of accidents and as a consequence would improve traffic flow.

Only when traffic management and enforcement is made a priority will jeepney passengers, who do not have any other travel options, feel safe and arrive at their destination unfazed. A reduction in the number of accidents, collisions, near misses and traffic bedlam must be a priority for the Davao Municipality. Making the roads and transportation safe is an important step to ensure that all inhabitants are able travel around the city without fear or risk, and minus the threat being in a traffic bottleneck while waiting for an accident or collision to be cleared.

I’ve seen authorities in Davao implement and police the no-smoking policy, the education program to stop jaywalking and recently the very sensible directive to ensure the vision of a jeepney driver is not impaired by signs being plastered all over the front window. It should be a straight forward matter to enforce basic traffic rules; the use of mobile phones, speeding and reckless driving. Making transportation safer and stress-free for Dabawenyos is one big step toward making Davao a more liveable city.

- Barry Schmitt Magallanes Residences blschmitt23@gmail.com