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[av_heading heading=’Still no speed limiters on public utility vehicles ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) was urged to enforce the use of speed limiting devices on public utility vehicles (PUVs) as soon as possible.
The Road Speed Limiter Act lapsed into law July 16 last year and delays hound the issuance of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), said Sen. Leila de Lima.
“Road accidents can be significantly reduced, if not at all prevented, if speed limiters have been installed on vehicles plying national roads that have a high volume of pedestrians,” she said.
Republic Act 10916 mandates the installation of speed limiting devices on several vehicles, such as cargo trailers, tanker trucks, company shuttles, and PUVs, except taxicabs, tricycles and jeepneys.
The law defines a “speed limiter” as a device used to limit the top speed of a vehicle through the employment of a mechanical, electronic or communications system, or the combination of these systems.
The DOTr and other concerned agencies should give priority to the law to prevent reckless driving and crashes, said the senator.
“What is causing the delay in the issuance of the IRR? Are we afraid to run after big truck operators or isn’t the safety of ordinary people more important?” she said.
Any person who fails to register or receive a franchise permit shall be penalized with a P50,000 fine, the law stated.
The license of a driver of a PUV without a speed limiter will be suspended or revoked. A succeeding offense could lead to a one-year suspension and a fine for the third offense, the law further said.
On average, 34 Filipinos die in road accidents every day, according to government records.
Traffic fatalities have also been increasing since 2006, data showed.
Moreover, 8,666 people died in road crashes in 2014, up from 1,797 in 2006, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
“The number of fatalities caused by traffic injuries and road accidents in the country is growing,” said de Lima. “If we can prevent reckless drivers from speeding, we can lessen these road mishaps and save thousands of innocent lives.”/PN
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