Motorcycle ban on EDSA eyed

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors have asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to study the possibility of banning motorcycles on EDSA to ease traffic congestion along the highway.

Bong Nebrija, operations supervisor of the MMDA, said the mayors made the proposal during the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting in Makati City on Tuesday. The MMC is the policy-making body of the agency.

Nebrija said prohibiting motorcycles along EDSA would also help reduce the number of accidents on the busiest thoroughfare in the metropolis.

Based on MMDA’s data, an average of 65,757 motorcycles used EDSA daily in 2016.

It did not provide figures on the number of road crashes involving motorcycles.  

Nebrija said they have to weigh the possible effects of banning motorcycles along EDSA.

“We don’t want to rush this. We will let our engineers study the proposal. We have to get the sentiments of the motorcycle riders,” he said.

Riders can look for alternate routes should the MMDA ban motorcycles on EDSA, according to Nebrija.

The MMDA earlier revived the implementation of the blue lanes along EDSA exclusively for motorcycles following reports of high incidence of deaths involving motorcycle riders.

Body cameras

Meanwhile, the MMDA has received 20 body cameras from a private company that will be used to record traffic incidents and corrupt practices of erring enforcers.

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the body cameras would help traffic enforcers in performing their duties.

“But these could also be used against them, especially those who are involved in extortion,” Lim said yesterday.

With the body cameras, Lim said the MMDA coud easily get evidence against corrupt traffic constables and motorists violating traffic laws.

Ferwin Lao, vice president of Worx Group of Companies, donated the body cameras worth P9,980 each.

Lao said they donated the cameras to help the MMDA in monitoring the traffic situation in Metro Manila.