Today, May 5, a joint press conference was held by the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and other concerned government agencies to discuss the many accidents and incidents that transpired over the last week.
Road rage and freak accidents that resulted in losses of life have been the headlines of the month so far, prompting Secretary Vince Dizon of the DOTr to suggest the No Contact Apprehension Program or NCAP be reintroduced to keep a closer watch on traffic violators and careless motorists.
While that would be the subject of another Supreme Court ruling, Dizon announced six new orders and suggestions that are far more actionable, stressing that these programs would help Filipinos feel safer on the road. Sitting next to other agency leaders, he proclaimed that the systems serving to regulate transport in the Philippines are broken, and must be fixed through inter-agency cooperation.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
SUV driver in NAIA T1 incident has license suspended, summoned by LTO
DOTr, LTFRB suspend Solid North Transit after fatal crash
1) Regular mandatory drug testing for PUV drivers
Also present at the press conference were representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Dizon addressed them specifically when he announced that all PUV drivers will have to go through mandatory drug testing. He suggested that the testing be done every 90 days, with the LTO and the LTFRB working with PDEA to carry out the tests.
2) Shorter shifts for PUV drivers
Dizon ordered the LTO and LTFRB to revise the number of hours a PUV driver and vehicle can operate without stopping for a break. This was likely prompted by reports that the bus driver in the SCTEX crash fell asleep at the wheel.
Currently, each shift lasts six hours, but the DOTr wants to cut it down to four. The Transport secretary explained that four hours is the standard shift the European Union and neighboring countries like Vietnam. For trips and drives longer than four hours, Dizon also wants relief drivers on board. He reiterated that conductors are not relief drivers, even though some bus companies interchange their responsibilities.
3) Retooled roadworthiness checks and implementation
The LTO and the LTFRB were also instructed to overhaul their roadworthiness policies for PUV drivers and vehicles. Dizon explained that the current systems are not strictly and consistently implemented, and called for policies that are “strict, enforceable, and regular.” The latter refers to the frequency of roadworthiness evaluations and inspections.
This should tie into the DOTr’s order on regular drug testing for drivers.
4) Better driving training and education
Dizon then called out the insufficient training and examinations that bus drivers need to complete before being issued a professional driver’s license. He also suggested that the NAIA crash may have been the result of poor driver education, as the driver was illegally driving with slippers on when the SUV sped into the airport crowd.
He called on the LTO and LTFRB again to introduce more thorough educational practices and materials for motorists, including vigilance against bribes and cheat sheets that allow applicants with insufficient training to get driver’s licenses.
5) Speed-limiting devices for PUVs
According to the DOTr, speed limiters are a crucial tool in keeping commuters and the public safe on the road. Dizon commented that these tools should come from multiple suppliers, most probably to ensure the quality and integrity of the devices as well as a steady supply
6) Establishment of a Public Transport Safety Board
Dizon recalled Senator Grace Poe’s suggestion to create a Public Transport Safety Board. He emphasized that a single governing body for the safety of the traveling public is an absolute must for the Philippines. The PTSB would oversee the safety of commuting and transportation systems over land, air, and sea.
Dizon did not mention what the DOTr’s involvement in the PTSB would be, or if he plans to bring it up to Congress or the Senate any time soon.
While there is a great sense of urgency around these new policies, exact and specific timelines for their implementation have yet to be announced.
