Motorcycle driving safety should be prioritized

Safety was one of the issues topmost in my mind when the motorcycle taxi Angkas became popular in Metro Manila. Motorcycle drivers, after all, have a notorious safety record; in 2018, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reckoned over 26,000 motorcycle riders figured in road accidents.

Thanks to a meticulous guideline determined by a technical working group (TWG) organized by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Angkas managed to score an almost perfect safety record during its six-month trial run.

With 27,000 riders supposedly enrolled for the trials, Angkas has shown that motorcycle riding with a passenger in tow can be safe in Metro Manila’s crazy streets. The ride-hailing company maintains stringent safety training and accreditation for its riders, and continuously enhances its safety operations.

According to the Land Transportation Office, there are over five million registered motorcycles in the country, although statistics from the motorcycle industry will easily put this figure at 14 million.

The difference apparently is from those not registered, but still used largely in rural interiors. Chances are, people driving unregistered motorcycles have not received proper training in motorcycle driving. Worse, they may not even have a license to drive.

The use of motorcycles on Philippine roads will continue to gain popularity because it is affordable and provides the mobility needs of Filipino families who cannot afford to buy four-wheel vehicle. For this reason, compliance to safety standards of motorcycle driving is important.

Likewise, when the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) gives out permits for motorcycle ride-hailing services, it should ensure that only those with proven safety records are accredited.

This goes without saying that safety track records must form part of operating permits and franchising of vehicles like jeepneys, taxis, and buses that provide the public with land transportation services.

A reader’s suggestion for Angkas drivers

One of our regular letter senders, Raymond Tumao, sent a suggestion for Angkas drivers who could be displaced should concerned government agencies push through with plans to limit their numbers to just 10,000. Here is what he wrote:

“There is just a few of you who read the Business Section of The Philippine STAR, so if you are one of them, please relay this message to your co-drivers in the group.

“Forget about the LTFRB and the upcoming law banning motorcycle taxis by the end of March this year. Move on because you have to pay the monthly amortization for your bike, otherwise you end up with a bad credit standing while motorcycle financiers start repossessing your bikes. 

“The following idea is just an idea which I think would be novel and helpful to all the people who cannot avail of an efficient mass transport system.

“If you bought your motorcycle for the purpose of earning a modest income, but you cannot use it ‘commercially,’ here is what you can do. If you reside in a village, subdivision, housing estate or even just in a small barangay, take off your Angkas uniforms and organize all Angkas drivers within your own community and discuss the following matters:

“1. List down all the names, addresses, motorcycle description, and mobile phones and log in to a private registry which should be recognized by your barangay. The objective of this first task is to be able to allow community citizens to hitch a ride or angkas with any of you registered drivers. 

“Your own community members will be more comfortable riding with registered drivers rather than just hailing through an app without knowing who the driver is and where he resides.

“2. Naturally, you will be paying for your fuel and you will also be using your time once you have a back rider. It is better if you come up with your own ‘thanks for helping’ fee or THF. You do not have to issue any receipt because even tricycles don’t.

“3. In pricing your THF, you have to consider the reason why you are being hailed, the distance from point to point, the practicality of using another mode of transport. But make sure you do not overcharge because the main objective of my suggestion is to share a ride with a citizen in need without the government intervening.

“4. Do not use uniforms because that would show the authorities that you are collecting fares from your back riders. Don’t forget that the income you will be getting after helping your rider get to his destination is purely circumstantial, and that means fuel, time and effort are all duly compensated. 

“This is one way of showing people that time is money, and labor is effort as a there is no such thing as a free lunch.

“5. Since there are millions of motorcycle riders plying congested roads, it would be difficult to distinguish who is helping or who is simply riding with a friend. If a traffic authority accosts you, you can always say I am just bringing my neighbor to his appointment.” 

Traffic cost

The cost of traffic in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu has reached proportions where it is already eating away at the economy’s performance. Imagine how far P3.5 billion a day, which a study had estimated to be the cost of traffic, could go if it were not just wasted.

Let’s all put our minds to resolving the many issues involving motorcycle taxis. Definitely, at this time when traffic is even costing our office workers and laborers so much time away from their families, an efficient alternative, even temporarily, may help – as long as its safe use is ensured.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.