Makati gets 100 traffic violators to be eye donors

More than 100 traffic violators in Makati chose to donate their eyes upon their death to the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines (EBFP) rather than get a traffic ticket.

Makati police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, said the police had a hard time explaining to erring motorist how they can become eye donors, and that they answered “yes” after the program was explained to them.

“They thought we were going to pull their eyeballs out of their sockets,” he said.

Last Wednesday, police watched Makati’s main thoroughfares for prospective eye donors. Most of those flagged down were accosted for swerving, violating no left turn rules, beating the red light, and for not wearing their seatbelts while driving.

The traffic violators were given a choice between a traffic ticket or signing a form to donate their eyes upon their death. More than 200 Makati policemen also agreed to donate their eyes upon their death.

Dr. Dominga Padilla, EBFP president, said people suffering from corneal blindness need no longer wait in vain for their corneal transplants.

“Today these people have hope because of the continuous supply of high-quality eye tissue for transplant that our eye bank provides throughout the Philippines and to other parts of the world,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office is offering tips on defensive driving and road safety through its website, www.lto.gov.ph.

“Driving is a continuing education,” LTO chief Alberto Suansing said.

He said most drivers learn their skills without professional guidance on how to deal with various situations on the road.

Suansing urged motorists to regularly read the driving tips, as well as traffic rules and their corresponding penalties.

He also said drivers should take short automotive maintenance courses so they would know engine troubleshooting.

“A driver must know if his vehicle is roadworthy,” Suansing said, adding that stalled vehicles often cause massive traffic jams, particularly during the rush hour. — Michael Punongbayan, Perseus Echeminada