Loren presses action to lessen road mishaps

Senator Loren Legarda yesterday issued proposals that may make Philippine roads and highways safer for public use in view of a series of recent fatal and near-fatal road mishaps.

Loren proposed for close and strict monitoring of drivers' qualifications, especially those handling public utility vehicles (PUVs) and cargo trucks.

"The safety of the millions of passengers and pedestrians depend on these drivers driving sensibly and within the bounds of road regulations," said Loren.

Loren also asked traffic enforcers to be strict in enforcing traffic rules, especially in busy avenues such as the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) where over speeding is one of the causes of accidents.

Drivers who frequently figure in accidents and who violate road regulations should also be put under a strict watch, or if necessary, their license revoked permanently, if so warranted by the gravity of their offenses, she said.

Government should also regularly check the road worthiness of all vehicles, especially PUVs.

"We see so many rolling coffins on our roads and avenues that are veritable accidents waiting to happen," she said. "Accidents don't just happen - they are either caused by driver error, vehicle defects or improperly maintained roads," she said.

The government, Legarda added, may also regulate the working conditions of PUV drivers, especially those who drive non-stop for over 12 hours. Legarda said this can be done by limiting the duration of their shifts.

"The common complaint against long-haul truck drivers is that many of them appear sleepy while behind the wheel, as evidenced by road errors they commit like swerving on the road without intending to," she said.

The past few days saw a series of road accidents that either killed or injured people, including one which involved two buses that collided injuring 13 passengers.

Last Wednesday, a Nicholas Albert bus hit a Metro Rail Transit post and then slammed into another bus on EDSA, leaving 15 passengers injured.

On October 21, a doctor was killed and three people were injured when two buses racing against each other hit a car causing it to burst into flames.