Ban-Tal violations remain high

CEBU, Philippines — Many motorists have yet to fully adjust to the rules of the expanded Banilad-Talamban (BanTal) Discipline Zone as shown by the more than 2,000 traffic citation tickets (TCTs) recorded in daily accomplishment reports from August 5 to 18.

The daily reports listed a total of 2,082 tickets issued during the period. However, the official grand total released was only 1,957, leaving a discrepancy of 125 tickets that needs to be reconciled.

The highest number of violations was recorded on the first day of strict enforcement, when 296 tickets were issued. The lowest was recorded on August 16, with 47 tickets. Enforcement remained active the following days, with 217 violators apprehended from August 17 through the morning of August 18.

The figures show that while violations dropped after the first days of implementation, traffic offenses remained widespread.

Motorcycle riders accounted for most of the violations, with “No Crash Helmet” repeatedly among the leading offenses. On August 15 alone, 94 citations were issued for helmet violations.

Other frequently recorded offenses included crossing solid lines, driving left, unlawful loading and unloading, obstruction, defective headlights and brake lights, and parking on sidewalks or public utility jeepney (PUJ) stops.

The Cebu City Government expanded the BanTal Discipline Zone to address chronic congestion along Governor M. Cuenco Avenue and nearby roads.

The scheme requires motorcycles to stay in the rightmost lane, public utility vehicles to load and unload only at designated lay-bys, and pedestrians to use crosswalks and skywalks.

Mayor Nestor Archival has emphasized that traffic discipline is a shared responsibility. The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), with support from the Land Transportation Office, has been leading enforcement.

Officials acknowledged that traffic conditions worsened during the adjustment period but said traffic flow has since improved compared with pre-enforcement conditions.

The expanded zone, however, has drawn mixed reactions from motorists, many of whom complained that the scheme appeared to favor larger vehicles and caused confusion, particularly during the dry run when motorcycles were temporarily prohibited from using the Banilad flyover.

Councilor Harold Kendrick Go called for leniency during the adjustment period, but City Hall maintained that penalties already issued could not be waived.

Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. also questioned the lack of consultation, warning that unclear rules could undermine compliance.

Yesterday, Archival reconvened the Cebu City Traffic Management Coordination Board (TMC) to discuss proposed adjustments aimed at improving traffic flow and easing congestion along the Ban-Tal corridor and other key areas of the city.

The meeting focused on traffic movement and lane management in areas including USC-TC, PAREF, Foodland, Country Mall, Aboitiz/IT Park access and Padriga.

Archival said the CCTO, Philippine National Police, transport operators and other stakeholders were working together on practical solutions to make traffic more orderly and daily travel safer and more convenient for motorists and commuters. — /FPL (FREEMAN)