Motorists, pedestrians warned: Follow road rules or face arrest

By Ramon Dacawi 

BAGUIO CITY -- Sooner or later, the police will apprehend erring drivers and pedestrians going astray - right where they daily cross paths.

Being apprehended in public for such simple breaches of discipline can be embarrassing.

That’s why police officers are again warning drivers against stopping their cars right on the pedestrian lane and pedestrians crossing the street with the red light on.

This news item is part of the information campaign to advise the public to toe the line, if only to restore part of the days of yore, when drivers and pedestrians alike knew when to stop and when to go, even without a traffic light or a traffic officer directing them.

The revival of street discipline that used to be the mark of Baguio was aired anew recently by city councilor Fred Bagbagen.

He swore elderly citizens are asking teeth in the enforcement of the “King of the Road” ordinance he authored two years back.

The regulatory measure requires motorists to fully stop or yield for five seconds before pedestrian lanes. It’s for the convenience and safety of those crossing the street whose paths now and then are blocked by vehicles beating the red light and caught right smack in the middle of the zebra lanes.

The impending crackdown shouldn’t be limited to errant motorists, drivers are saying, as many pedestrians are equally guilty.

In response to a “legislative tracking” conducted by the staff of the city council, the Federation of Jeepney Operators  and Drivers Associations of Baguio, Benguet and La Union headed by Diony Itliong also suggested:

There should be traffic enforcers assignee at pedestrian traffic lights; the distance between pedestrian lanes should be farther apart considering that there are streets/roads which have more than one pedestrian lane (like Session and Harrison roads); pedestrians should also be informed about the proper use of the pedestrian lanes/crossings and should also follow traffic rules and regulations; the ramps intended for the disabled should be properly marked with signs.

           

Likewise, the city police, through traffic management branch chief, Supt. Allan Logan, suggested installation of visible informative signs on the ordinance and repainting of faded pedestrian lanes.

He admitted lack of personnel to direct traffic in all of the pedestrian lanes.

Elderly citizens and differently-abled persons, meanwhile, reiterated their recurrent call for the installation of additional “blue lanes” or additional pedestrian crossings for them who, because of their age and physical conditions, can hardly climb up overpasses to cross streets.

Ordinance #2, passed by the city council on March 30, 2009, mandates the installation of blue lanes along Abanao St., Session Rd., Harrison Rd., the City Hall Area, Magsaysay Avenue to the Baguio City Public Market and other areas near commercial establishments.

Recently, a blue lane area between the Malcolm Square and the city market was opened with the installation of a sign declaring it as such.