Registered vehicles rise; heavy traffic continues

CEBU, Philippines - Records at the Land Transportation Office showed an increase in the total number of vehicles registered in Central Visayas compared to the figures recorded in 2012.

The total number of vehicles registered had already reached 652,828 or an increase of  27,510 as of December 2013. Most of the vehicles registered are operating in Cebu and other adjacent highly urbanized cities.

The statistics recorded by the LTO showed that there were only 574,640 assorted types of vehicles registered in Region-7 for 2011. This figure went up to 625,318 in 2013. It reached 652,828 in the last month of  2013.

This increase explains the heavy traffic experienced on roads around Cebu City and in other nearby cities and municipalities. Heavy traffic is present anytime of the day, particularly during peak hours in the morning and early evening.

While the statistics of vehicles continued to increase, the government has yet to construct additional roads or to widen the existing major roads to solve the traffic congestion.

Traffic enforcers interviewed by The FREEMAN said that the abusive or undisciplined drivers have contributed to the traffic problem, because many of them just stop and park their vehicles even in prohibited areas.

Moreover, PUJ drivers also claimed that they are forced to violate traffic laws sometimes due to the stiff competition in getting passengers.

While there are so many abusive drivers, particularly those operating passenger jeepneys, the road law enforcers in Central Visayas apprehended only 60,620 erring drivers and issued them with Temporary Operators Permit last year.

In 2012, LTO personnel and their deputized agents apprehended 84,794 erring drivers who were caught violating the provisions of Republic Act 4136, or the Transportation and Traffic Code.

LTO Chief Alfonso Tan Jr. had revoked last year the deputation of all civilian deputized agents, including the members of the Task Force Alpha, and ordered that only regular personnel of LTO can be issued with TOP’s.    (FREEMAN)