Heat list

Is it just me or has EDSA and C5 become even more of a horrible place to be in lately? While stuck in traffic on a Tuesday afternoon, with my car’s temperature gauge flirting past the middle mark under the stifling heat of the sun and traffic, I compiled a list of several things that make me loathe driving there. My apologies if I offend anyone here, the heat’s really getting to me these days…

1. Pink fences. They’re ugly, they fall on cars, and they make the road even narrower. The worst areas are at Cubao and just after Camp Crame; traffic visibly slows down at these areas as everybody must continually squeeze into the flyovers and what little space is left available for passenger cars. And what’s this I’ve read that they’re about to be enforced with concrete so they won’t smash into cars whenever a bus hits them? Guess we’re stuck with these eyesores. After all, the MMDA knows what’s best for us.

2. Bus drivers. Supposedly the pink fences are to discipline them into staying into their designated lanes. But anyone who observes their behaviour — particularly at the Cubao underpass and just before the Timog flyover — can tell that they’re even worse than before. They swerve up to four lanes at once so they can jockey into position before it’s time for them to get inside of the fences and yellow lanes. I have a better suggestion to the MMDA to discipline these morons: once and for all take their licenses and put them in the empty "Prison Bus" I see parked underneath the EDSA-Quezon Avenue flyover at the slightest hint of DLA (Driving Like an Asshole).

3. Moving Billboards. EDSA is already an incredibly cluttered place with billboards, billboards, and more billboards anywhere you look, hawking anything from bags to printers to whatever Kris is endorsing now. Okay, advertising keeps consumers spending, and spending consumers keep the economy from imploding any faster than it already is, but are these moving billboards really necessary?

4. Rising fuel prices. Another week, another price increase. These fuel companies have really got us by the balls, no? And spending more time in traffic burns more fuel, which means we have to go to the gas station more frequently, which in turn means we really have no choice but to shell out (no pun intended) what the fuel companies want us to pay.

5. Jaywalkers. A rare sight on EDSA, but quite common at the C5. Even with a pedestrian overpass only several hundred meters away, these folks will dart across the road, heedless of the laws of physics and good sense. Sometimes, they will even cross holding a child by the hand, and with the child to the side of oncoming traffic going at more than a hundred kilometres per hour. The thing is, if a surprised motorist does everything he can to avoid hitting someone but still does through pure bad luck, he’s still obliged to pay for the hospital and, God forbid, funeral expenses.

6. Motorcycle messengers / delivery boys. They zip in and out of lanes with impunity, causing other drivers to slam on the brakes in surprise and flinch even when they’ve already got the right of way. Last week, I saw a messenger hit an SUV’s blind spot as it was shifting to another lane in a traffic jam. The SUV was creeping at less than 10kph, the motorcycle at around 30. The impact sent the messenger to the pavement, creating an ugly gash on the SUV’s fender where his handlebar scraped it, and taking out its right headlamp cluster. Right in front of a policeman, no less. Guess who was deemed "at fault"?

Still, there are some good things happening, especially if you’re in the market for a new automobile. The taxation scheme has really worked wonders for bringing on a flood of new models, making the car industry a real buyer’s market. Budget-conscious shoppers have a choice between the miserly Kia Picanto, Hyundai Getz, and entry level variants of the Toyota Vios and Honda City. None of these cars will give you the illusion of being a millionaire, but neither will they scream that you’re not. That’s a far cry from a few years ago, when a cheap car meant something would break only a few days after you brought it home from the dealer.

For the MPV/AUV/SUV market, you will be hard pressed to find a lousy product. Honda’s CR-V is as good as ever despite its relative age, with the ’05 getting some more welcome power under the hood. Toyota, of course, is on a roll with their Hilux/Innova/Fortuner trio. The Innova breaks free from the AUV mold with smooth, un-contrived styling, truly refined powerplants, and comfortable, good-looking cabins. The only bad thing is that you have to fall in line for one: 3,439 units have been sold since it was launched mid-February. Moving up-market, the Fortuner SUV is a very strong contender against the Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Expect some more good news to happen within the next few weeks or months. Ford previewed its Focus sedan at the Manila Motor Show, while Isuzu will be launching a new SUV next week. Don’t expect the other manufacturers to take this lying down, especially if they’re serious about making a sale to you.

This week’s Backseat Driver features discussions on the state of the MMDA as well as the issue on motorcycles being good alternatives in these traffic-infested streets. Here are some of the comments of our Backseat Drivers on the matter…

The MMDA is doing what the know-it-all Mayors can’t or won’t do in traffic management. Only when they do their jobs will the MMDA be dispensible! — 09178459239

Motrbikes are the way to go! The government must promote their use instead of discriminating upon riders. With motorbikes we get to save the country petrol and dollars and promote less traffic. — 09185195335

Those MMDA people and the police can’t direct traffic on a one-way street. I bet they can’t even shoot a duck inside a barrel. — 09178146177

To the MMDA and the Quezon City local government, why don’t you switch back to the old traffic scheme on Victoria Avenue and Broadway Avenue in New Manila? The new scheme obviously isn’t working. — 09175317429

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando should not resign. Siya lang ang naging Chairman na may nagawang mabuti para sa traffic situation. — 09178739185

How do we put some sense into the government? Riding in tandem in motorcycles is banned when it does wonders to ease the traffic situation. — 09174064008

To the North Tollways Corp: Please try to do something to keep slow moving vehicles off the left lane. — 09209130283

Where do you sign up for a motorcycle course? With fares rising by an additional P2.00 by the end of May, a bike/scooter is starting to look really good. — 09179719273

The traffic route around SM City Fairview has improved a lot since one-way traffic was implemented. Well done. — 09178730374

Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text PHILSTAR<space>FB<space>MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2333 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 334 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber.