Drivers continue to break traffic rules on UN Avenue

CEBU, Philippines - Even as Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing has already declared the stretch of United Nations Avenue as a no stopping zone, the road is still experiencing heavy traffic particularly along the Mandaue-Mactan route due to non-compliance of traffic ordinan-ces by drivers.

Last October, the mayor ordered the Traffic Enforcement Agency in Mandaue (TEAM) to install signages that strictly prohibits loading and unloading along UN Avenue and to issue citation tickets for drivers and jaywalkers who violate this order.

The mayor explained that the move was to strengthen the traffic system and prevent illegal use of the city streets and highways.

But some commuters complained to the city government and even posted on social media that many drivers of public vehicles, particularly jeepneys and tricycles, flagrantly violate counter-flow traffic regulations which could lead to accidents.

Reportedly, according to complaints, traffic enforcers in the area just look the other way, seemingly pretending not to see the counter-flow violators passing right in front of them, which make them wonder why these violators are not apprehended at all despite the mayor's orders.

The UN Avenue intersection is the busiest in Metro Cebu since it is one of the access roads going to Mactan Island.

Quisumbing observed that what contributes to traffic congestion in major intersections along UN Avenue and Plaridel Street are the non-enforcement of the so-called 'junction box' ordinance.

Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna, who is the council presiding officer, yesterday said that they will look into the complaint and investigate why traffic enforcers failed to prevent 'glaring' counter-flow violations in the area.

"We do not tolerate traffic violations, nor have we slowed down our initiatives in enforcing traffic discipline zones," Fortuna said.

In the ordinance, drivers of any vehicle caught inside the solid yellow lines on road intersections and which causes traffic blockage will be apprehended and may be fined P1,000. (FREEMAN)