Grading the motorcycle lane

By Metro Manila Development Authority’s reckoning, there were 567 fatal road accidents in 2010. Of this number, 191 cases (33.67 percent) involved motorcycles. In distant second place are cars, which accounted for 101 incidents or 17.81 percent.

Last year, there were 528 fatal road accidents in Metro Manila. That’s a welcome decline, of course, even as it’s still 528 too many. Motorcycles figured in 163 or 30.87 percent of incidents, and remained the top culprit in road mishaps, followed again by cars (91 incidents or 17.23 percent).

Sought for data, MMDA council secretariat head Atty. Alu Dorotan emailed me thus: “In response to the alarming rate of motorcycle-related accidents in Metro Manila, the MMDA designated non-exclusive motorcycle lanes or ‘blue lanes’ in major thoroughfares.”

Infamously called the “killer highway” because of the preponderance of accidents there, Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, along with notorious drag racing venue Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City, became the first to be painted with the now familiar broken blue lines. The non-exclusive motorcycle lanes went into effect last October 17.

In concert with strict implementation of the 60-kph speed limit, order was finally introduced into the mayhem. Drivers became more conscious of their propensity to floor the gas and jackrabbit through aforementioned roads. One would, and should, always be willing to sacrifice speed in the name of safety, so anything that reduces the death toll is a very welcome change.

Heartened, MMDA had a thought. “With the positive outcomes of these pilot areas, the EDSA motorcycle lane was launched in February 14, 2012,” Atty. Dorotan continued.

Not all were impressed, particularly a head of a motorcycle riders’ group who wanted to make the lane exclusive for two-wheelers. This would be both impractical and a terrible hassle, predictably causing even greater congestion on five-lane EDSA where two lanes are already earmarked for buses. I’m glad MMDA Chairman Tolentino didn’t give in to that request.

Still, almost eight months after the EDSA implementation of the blue lane, one wonders if the numbers bear out the success of the program.

As a motorist who negotiates (endures?) EDSA daily, I’ve seen how motorcycles, on the whole, have stayed on the fourth lane. There are hardheaded pasaways for sure, but the new habit seems to have caught on. The most important thing that I’ve noticed is that, because of the lane, riders are keeping clear of the zooming, swerving buses on the right. If for that alone, I stand up, clap, and commend the people concerned. For if you match up a motorcycle against a bus, there will be no chance of a split decision. The bus will win each time.

Indeed, Atty. Dorotan also proudly reported: “Since the October 2011 implementation of the motorcycle lanes in Commonwealth and Macapagal Avenues and EDSA, there has been zero fatal accidents recorded therein.”

Now that’s a number we can live with.