CCTO impounds 220 vehicles for counterflowing

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office impounded over 220 vehicles and motorcycles after a week of “effective” implementation of the anti-counterflow measure of the city.

CCTO Operations chief Francisco Ouano said these vehicles will be impounded for 30 days at a warehouse in South Road Properties (SRP).

“Nakita nato nga naa gihapoy mosukwahi pero ni minus na gyud. Base sa isa ka semana nga assessment nga nigamay ang disgrasya involving sa counterflow,” he told reporters. (After one week, we have observed that accidents involving counter flowing have lessened.)

Ouano said his office is still collating the statistics on the accidents involving counter flowing of vehicles.

On February 2, Osmeña signed Executive Order No. 34 or the order declaring reckless driving pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the Traffic Code of the Philippines, City ordinance No.801 and other existing traffic rules and regulations nuisance per se, providing sanctions thereof and for other purposes.

The declaration of reckless driving, such as counterflowing, as nuisance will allow the city to remove the vehicles used in the commission of an offense off the road, the mayor said.

Also, he warned all motorists that the enforcers will soon be strictly enforcing the traffic rules on the use  of pedestrian lanes and junction boxes.

Ouano reminded the motorists that they were already informed and educated about traffic rules when they secured their driver’s licenses.

He said he will not impound the vehicles caught disrespecting pedestrian lanes and junction box for now to educate the motorists.

“Atong i-remind lang sila nga reckless driving pod na nga dili ta mo-give way labi sa pedestrian lane ug sa junction box ug pwede mi maka impound sa ilang sakyanan. Ato nang buhaton para mabalik ang disiplina sa kadalanan,” he said. (We remind them that it is considered reckless driving if they step on pedestrian lanes and junction boxes.  Their vehicles can be impounded.)

As to the request of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella to review the order, Ouano said he is just following orders from the mayor.

On the traffic flow at Cebu South Coastal Road, Ouano said several road users complained on the “no left turn” policy implemented at the access to Mambaling near SM Seaside.

However, he said the measure was implemented as the mayor observed that traffic flow slows down in the area when vehicles from Mambaling were allowed to turn left in front of SM Seaside.

Ouano also revealed that there were several accidents at SRP because vehicles do not follow the 50kph to 60 kph.

“Gahuwat na ta sa speed gun aron mapatuman na nato ug ma strikto ang speed limit,” Ouano said. (We are waiting for the speed guns so that we can strictly implement the speed limit at SRP.) (FREEMAN)