EDITORIAL - The vendors, too

Amid misgivings being voiced by certain quarters about the President of the Republic stopping for red lights and consequently being late for appointments, many Filipinos are cheering the campaign against the unauthorized use of sirens and blinkers by VIPs. All that this campaign needed was leadership by example, and strong marching orders from the nation’s highest official, who also happens to be the concurrent head of the department with supervision over the national police.

Beyond apprehending motorists using sirens and blinkers without authority, the police should also start regulating the sale of these devices. Since only official police and military vehicles as well as ambulances, fire trucks and similar vehicles are authorized to use sirens and blinkers, the government should keep the sale of the devices under tight control.

While at it, authorities should also enforce regulations on the types of vehicle headlights that can be used. Headlights so bright they are blinding pose dangers to other motorists and must be banned. Yet the use of these blinding lights has become widespread. As in the case of the sirens, both user and vendor of such lights must be apprehended.

The ongoing campaign against the unauthorized use of sirens and blinkers shows the importance of enforcing laws. Whether it is the murder of militants and journalists, or the unauthorized use of vehicle devices by VIPs who think they are above the law, the failure to enforce the law breeds impunity. That failure can be due to one or a combination of reasons: laziness, incompetence, ignorance of the law by those who are supposed to enforce it, and fear of incurring the ire of abusive public officials.

As the campaign on sirens and blinkers got into high gear yesterday, TV coverage showed vehicles with “8” license plates among those pulled over. The lawmakers to whom the plates were issued continued to enjoy VIP treatment, remaining anonymous as their bodyguards shooed away the camera crew. Since accountability is one of the battle cries of the new administration, that legislative anonymity, often abused in traffic, must be taken away. Each “8” license plate must include the legislative district of the congressman to whom the plate was issued. Those who craft the law must be the first to uphold it.