QC sets speed limits in subdivisions

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City council has approved an ordinance which penalizes motorists who will violate the 20-kilometer per hour speed limit in subdivisions in the city.

“There is an urgent need to strictly enforce maximum speed limit in major thoroughfares in all subdivisions in Quezon City, to prevent the loss of life and damage to property due to reckless driving,” read the ordinance, which has yet to be signed into law by Mayor Herbert Bautista.

The ordinance prohibits the driving at a speed exceeding 20 kilometers per hour “on crowded streets, approaching intersections at ‘blind corners’, passing churches and school zones in all subdivisions in Quezon City.”

“Such restrictions, however, will not apply to the driver of an emergency vehicle, such as but not limited to an ambulance and a fire truck,” it added.

Violators of the subdivision speed limit on the first offense merits a P1,000 fine and one-day community service. Second time offenders will be penalized with a P2,000 fine and two days community service, while a fine of P5,000 and one week of community service will be imposed on subsequent offenses.

In addition to the one-week community service and the P5,000 fine, violations that result in property damage worth more than P10,000 or a loss of life would merit an endorsement to the Land Transportation Office for the cancellation or suspension of the driver’s license and an endorsement to the Office of the City Prosecutor for appropriate criminal action.

The measure also prohibits non-compliance to traffic signals and signs posted in Quezon City subdivision.

“Despite existing signboards/signages indicating the maximum allowable speed limit, the motoring public still exceeds the same, resulting in reckless driving, which put into serious danger the life and property of the public,” read the ordinance.

The ordinance defined subdivision as a “tract or parcel of land, which is partitioned primarily for residential purposes into individual lots, with or without improvements thereon, whether or not registered as such with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, and offered to the public for sale.”

It added that subdivisions “shall include all residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas as well as open spaces and other community and public areas within the area.”

“The strict implementation of this provision and lawful apprehension of violators will ensure the safety of people living in all subdivisions in Quezon City and prevent accidents and damage to properties,” it added.

The ordinance was introduced by councilors Aly Medalla, Bong Suntay, Eufemio Lagumbay, Godofredo Liban, Ramon Medalla, Don De Leon, and Raquel Malañgen.