DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/December 12) – Traffic enforces here are all set to implement the new speed limit ordinance, which imposes stiffer fines to violators and will take effect on January 11.
Violators face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second, and P5,000 for the third and final offense, according to the new ordinance. If a violator can’t pay the fine in seven days, a P500 additional penalty will be slapped on the driver.
Currently, Executive Order No. 39 series of 2013 or the Speed Limit Ordinance of Davao City, which was signed by then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, imposes a fine of only P500 per violation.
It was amended by City Ordinance 0270-23 series of 2023, which is authored by Councilor Luna Acosta, chair of the Committee on Peace and Public Safety.
The new ordinance
The new ordinance amends the maximum allowable speed to 80 kilometers per hour (kph) for light vehicles and motorcycles and 50 kph for trucks, buses, and passenger vans along the Davao-Bukidnon Road (Lacson to Marilog-Buda Boundary), Crossing Bunawan to Lasang-Panabo City boundary, and Carabao Monument Waypark to Binugao-Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur boundary.
For other open roads such as Crossing Panacan to Crossing Bunawan, Ulas Crossing to Lacson checkpoint in Calinan, Ulas Crossing to Carabao Monument Waypark, and the Davao City Coastal Road from Tulip Drive to Bago Aplaya, vehicles can speed up to a maximum of 60 kph for light vehicles and 50 kph for bigger ones.
The other primary and secondary roads are still having a 40 kph speed limit and 30 kph for inner roads. Bigger vehicles for both road classifications should travel not faster than 30 kph.
For other barangay roads, residential roads, along school zones, subdivisions, villages, and other “traffic-busy” establishments such as malls, churches, and hospitals, the speed limit is 20 kph.
The current ordinance has only three speed limits – 60, 40, and 30 kph.
The 60 kph limit is implemented from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing, Lasang to Panacan, Calinan to Ulas Crossing, and C.P. Garcia Highway-McArthur Highway to Panacan.
The 40 kph speed limit is from Ulas to Generoso Bridge/Bolton Bridge, Panacan Crossing to J. P. Laurel Avenue-Alcantara, and Ma-a Road Diversion to McArthur Highway.
The 30 kph speed limit is from J.P. Laurel Ave.-Alcantara to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, Buhangin Crossing-Milan to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, C.P. Garcia Highway-Bacaca Road to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, and C. P. Garcia Highway-Angliongto Street to Bolton/Generoso Bridge.
Some Dabawenyo drivers complained the higher fines that will be imposed by the new speed limit ordinance could affect their income.
Taxi driver Randy Capuyan lamented the speed limit penalties are quite high.
“I hope it will be lowered as we might not have enough money to pay if we are caught violating the speed limit,” he said in an interview on Facebook Messenger.
Truck driver Boy Magno echoed his sentiments.
“For me, as an experienced truck driver myself, it would be beneficial if we are given a little leeway, and if possible balance or lower the fines,” Magno said in a separate Facebook interview.
Dionisio Abude, City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head, said the speed limit ordinance “aims to reduce accidents and reckless driving in the city.”
The city ordinance stipulated that “it aims to safeguard all road users, regulate traffic on all streets and the like, to promote public health, safety, convenience, maintenance of peace and order, and promote general prosperity of Dabawenyos.”
In this city, Abude claimed that “many accidents are caused by truck drivers transporting heavy loads, due to losing control because of fast speed.”
He said the CTTMO and the Philippine National Police – Traffic Enforcement Unit in the city would intensify the campaign against reckless driving prior to the implementation of the new speed limit ordinance.
Based on CTTMO’s data, at least 8,330 speed limit violators have been apprehended from January 1 to December 7, 2023.
Abude said they started conducting information awareness on the newly-approved speed limit ordinance to motorists and vehicle owners in the city.
He called on the other concerned government agencies such as the Land Transportation Office, Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Public Works and Highways to support the implementation of the ordinance.
“We will provide them with the new ordinance to help their personnel to be well-versed and knowledgeable about it,” Abude told reporters last week. (Ian Carl Espinosa/MindaNews)
