Moratorium on use of city roads for driving lessons sought

The Cebu City Council has requested the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to have a moratorium on allowing driving schools to use the city streets for practical driving lessons.

Upon motion of Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, the council approved the request during its regular session on April 27, 2022. The move stemmed from a letter from Rolando Guardiario, a resident of Barangay Calamba, Cebu City.

In his letter dated April 4, Guardiario suggested that all driving schools offering practical driving courses would be required to establish their own driving lanes where all basic vehicle maneuvering should be done.

He added students would only be allowed on public roads once they are deemed ready.

“Following the full implementation of the law that requires all driver's license applicants to undergo a practical driving course, it has been observed that more driving schools and private vehicles are using the streets for practice,” said Guardiario.

“The requirement to undergo a practical driving course is commendable; however, this results in congestion on our roads. It is observed that these vehicles run slowly and cannot keep up with the regular flow of traffic on our already constricted roads,” he added.

Guardiario said the use of major streets by driving schools not only results in traffic jams but also poses a danger to the lives and property of drivers, motorists, commuters, and passers-by.

He said these driving school vehicles are often using the main and internal roads of the South Road Properties and could be found at any time of the day practicing how to drive, adding that these are also seen in almost all major and arterial roads in the city.

“With the expected increase of driver's license applicants to undergo practical driving courses, they should only be allowed in a controlled environment so that any untoward incidents could be prevented and ease road congestion,” said Guardiario.

Garcia, in another motion, requested the City Secretariat to furnish his office a copy of the ordinance allowing the use of the city streets for practical driving courses by practical driving companies. —