Making our roads safe for motorcycle users

As the motorcycle-riding population in the country continues to increase, so is the risk to its drivers and passengers. The Philippines is a Johnny-come-lately in Asia with regards motorcycle use by the working class, and as such is just coming to grips with the hazards posed on roads.

Recently, the government started introducing measures meant to protect motorcycle riders commuting on major thoroughfares. As an experiment, motorcycle lanes were designated along the long and wide Commonwealth Avenue stretch in Quezon City, renowned for being a “killer” road.

By designating motorcycle lanes using “delineators,” accidents involving motorcycles had significantly decreased during the trial period, according to the government agency in charge. This is encouraging news, and this will help in coming up with future policies for all national roads.

Motorcycle-related road accidents have increased significantly over the years arising from the phenomenal rise in motorcycle users (and sales) compounded by the absence of updated rules and regulations governing motorcycle use on most of the country’s city and provincial roads.

As far as I know, only our major toll ways have strict rules regarding motorcycles: they don’t allow lightweights! Only motorcycles with engines 400cc and higher are allowed, the main reason still being safety.

Traffic rules

The soonest that better rules on motorcycle decorum suited for Philippine conditions are issued, the better. Too many lives have already been ceded to road accidents merely because we have inadequate traffic rules and regulations.

Motorists are still generally at a loss or unclear as to how two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles interact with each other on the road. This ambiguity is often the reason why accidents – often fatal for the motorcycle users – happen.

Perhaps this is one area that needs to be given priority, something that may greatly help in bringing down injury and fatality records involving motorcycle-related accidents. The quicker this is communicated to all license holders, the sooner we can be at ease.

The Philippines may not be a Vietnam or Indonesia yet in terms of motorcycle dominance on the street, but our economic profile and recent sales trends indicate that these two-wheeled vehicles could become more dominant in future, enough to warrant the building or appropriation of separate exclusive lanes.

The Commonwealth Avenue trials could come in very useful in determining how our regulators will shape up a harmonious relationship among the many road users, including those unique tricycles that ferry passengers and lately even goods such as bottled water, LPG, beverages and beer in crates.

Riding safety

Still on the issue of motorcycle safety regulations, government enforcers should be more vigilant with regards the use of protective gear by drivers and passengers, as well as the people who may ride behind the driver.

More and more families are using the motorcycle as a means to ferry themselves especially during weekends to malls or destinations for rest and recreation. It is no longer unusual to see children sandwiched between father and mother on a motorcycle speeding on the open road.

If the children are at all wearing helmets, these are often token “safety” gear that do not really provide any decent measure of protection should an accident occur. Even the adults oftentimes use helmets that are not apt for motorcycle riding.

A review of many motorcycle accidents can often be traced to the inadequate use of protective gear that also includes, aside from the proper helmet, the correct padded clothing, hand gloves and riding shoes. If there were stricter enforcement, there would be lesser mishaps.

Accident coverage

Finally, on the related issue of accident coverage, since motorcycle users are more exposed to debilitating or fatal harm than four-wheel vehicle users, there should be better benefits available that accrue them being third-party related victims.

Recent changes in the law has doubled the insurance coverage on Third Party Liability (TPL) to P100,000 for fatalities. While the amount is still not enough to approximate the true value of a lost life, the increase is appreciated.

However, most TPL coverage for body harm is not even enough to cover the basic tests that accident victims require to be able to competently assess injuries. In cases when the offending party does not have enough money to shoulder medical expenses, the victim is often left to shoulder hospitalization and related medical costs.

Of course this problem is totally separate for incidents when the insure r is nowhere to be found, i.e., being “fly-by-night” insurance firms, or when the insurer gives policy holders (or the victims) the runaround, leading to delays in reimbursement.

Now that parts of the Insurance Code are once again under review by Congress, it would be good if some of our responsible legislators were to remember to include the necessary measures to give added protection to our motorists.

National Collegiate Championship

Ormoc City and the Ormoc Astrodome are host starting November 27 up to Nov. 30 to the Champions League (PCCL) 2011 National Collegiate Championship Visayas Regional championship and the Sweet 16 Finals.

Local basketball fans will have the opportunity to watch champion teams from Visayas compete for the region championship and earn a seat in the Sweet 16 Finals on Nov. 27 and 28.

On Nov. 29, the top CESAFI teams – champion University of Cebu Webmasters and runner-up Southwestern U Cobras – try to knock out Mindanao champion, STI Olympians, and the eventual Visayas champion, respectively.

Nov. 30 is the climax of the festival as two top teams from Manila and the two top teams from Southern Islands, winners of the Nov. 29 games, collide to claim seats in the Final Four and join Ateneo Blue Eagles and San Beda Red Lions in the championship round robin.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net for more details about the Champions League (PCCL) 2011 National Collegiate Championship.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.