Drivers required to bring chalk for road marking

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management will strictly implement on Monday the ordinance requiring all vehicle drivers to bring chalk so they can mark the area should they figure in an accident.

The ordinance aims to prevent further traffic congestion caused by road accidents wherein usually, drivers involved in the accident are required to wait for traffic enforcers to record the incident.

Since not all accidents can be responded to immediately, traffic normally builds up with the vehicles in the middle of the road.

With this, all motorists are now encouraged to carry white chalk and waterproof wax crayon to place markings on the road, particularly on the exact last position of their vehicle’s tires.

If turned upside down or in a position where the tires are not on the road, the driver must mark the “exact position of the vehicle’s body.”

Moreover, they are also encouraged to help document the accident by taking photos using their camera phones.

This way, the vehicles can be removed from the road even before the enforcers come, thereby preventing traffic build-up that often happens in accident sites.

However, accidents that result in injury or death of any person or where it is impossible to mark the road due to the bad condition of the same, such as rough or muddy roads and the like, are an exemption.

Motorists who fail to heed the rule will be slapped with a fine of P1,000, as stipulated in Section 1 of City Ordinance No. 1946 passed in 2002. Also, those drivers who refuse to remove his/her vehicle will be separately penalized.

The provision states that drivers of all vehicles shall at all times carry a white chalk and waterproof wax crayon, which is either white, yellow, red or green in colors.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said enforcers cannot respond immediately to road accidents, especially during rush hours and if the accident happens far from the CITOM office. In these cases, it is best if the involved vehicles are moved out of the way as soon as possible to minimize traffic congestion, Mercado said.

Section 14 of CO 1946 allows “drivers are allowed to mark on the road the exact position of vehicles where an accident occurred.” — Kristine B. Quintas/ATO (FREEMAN)