Disciplined Drivers – Road to a Better Public and Private Transportation

Metro Manila, home of a population of 15 million, roads dominated by vehicles and not efficient and not organized public transportation. We cannot deny that we have a serious transportation problems. Aside from transportation problems, there are also traffic accidents and violations due to the undisciplined drivers. One of the example is loading of passengers of public vehicles in non-designated places. It is just a common scenario for commuters. Another example is private vehicle parking on the sidewalk or even on the road.

Based on this article, (https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/110574-instituionalize-puv-traffic-discipline) in a place where a traffic discipline is regulated, rules, shared understanding and norms are working together to encourage and reinforce disciplined traffic behavior. As we can see in our daily route, the PNP are on major roads to capture the traffic violators. But the visibility of PNP can be the solution to enforce the public /private drivers to comply on traffic regulations?

One of the major contributor of traffic congestion and violations are from the pedestrians/passengers. Standing in the middle of the road waiting for PUVs, crossing the streets, roads or even highways wherever they want. Even if they have a major contribution to heavy traffic, they are largely ignored by the system.

Let’s take a look on the traffic behavior in UP Diliman in QC. They have designated loading and unloading zones. It is noticeable that despite the minimal enforcement around, PUV drivers and passengers are in an orderly manner.  Not just the private and public drivers discipline alone can be the solution on our complex traffic and transportation problem.