Rodrigo’s Road Rules

Rodrigo’s Road Rules are coming. President elected Rodrigo Duterte assumed power this 30th of June, and all is set to his administration’s theme of “change” and creating a Philippines like his home city of Davao. Under this banner, many local officials have also taken steps to improve their community rules. We have seen barangays now implementing curfew for minors after a certain time in evenings, as well as the clearing of illegal shops and vendors on thoroughfares and other public spaces.

All of this started in Davao, where the Mayor-turned-President solidified his image as a man of laws and law enforcement. The city has had its fair share of traffic woes and slew of common accidents in the past. But thanks to the strict upholding of laws by police and traffic men, as well as the establishment of a high-tech traffic management system, Davao is now cruising through traffic problems with little difficulty.

With the incoming administration’s penchant for tough rules, what road ordinances in Davao can we anticipate to be implemented nationwide?

Here are some restrictions that could possibly take effect soon under Rodrigo’s Road Rules:

Ordinance No. 0143-05 Series of 2005:

“Prohibiting the use of communications devices while driving”. This law prohibits motorists from using cellular phones, hand-held radios, personal digital assistants (PDA’s) and similar devices while driving, as they present a risk of distracting the driver from concentrating on maneuvering the vehicle.

Ordinance No. 130 Section 1-A

This rule states that all one-way streets approved by the city council shall have the left side for parking and the right side for loading and unloading. With such a rule, traffic could be smoothed out especially for tight alleys and city streets.

Ordinance No. 0189-06 Series of 2006 Section 2. Prohibited acts

A lot of responsibilities are given to motorcycle riders with this ordinance. Aside from the standard requirement on helmet usage, Davao also outlaws having more than ONE passenger apart from the driver, as well as letting minors below EIGHT (8) years of age to board, for single motorcycles.

Lastly, there’s the speed limit regulations, which are detailed below:

• Open country roads with no blind corners, and not bordered by houses or habitation shall have a speed limit of 80 kph for private and public vehicles, and 50 kph for trucks and buses.
• Main streets, boulevards, and major avenues, as designated, with no blind corners, the speed limit is 40 kph for private and public vehicles, and 30 kph for trucks and buses.
• On city or municipal streets, meant for light traffic, the limit is 30 kph for private and public vehicles, as well as trucks and buses.
• For heavy-traffic and/or streets frequented by pedestrian use, with blind corners passing school zones, or running high risk of collision, the speed limit is 20 kph for both for private and public vehicles, and trucks and buses.

While these rules may not be implemented as is across the whole country, it is important to note that the incoming President is going to make the road a tougher place for careless drivers. Surely, Rodrigo’s Road Rules falls upon the current hounds of the road, whether local or national, to enforce whatever road regulations on erring motorists.