EDITORIAL - Speed limit

To control the speed of vehicles traversing the South Road Properties, the Cebu City government is planning next year to purchase at least two speed guns and a tow truck in its effort to strictly implement traffic rules at the SRP.

Cebu City Transportation Office head Ismael Garaygay said they will test if speed guns are feasible in enforcing the speed limit of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour at the SRP. “We will pilot test at the SRP first kay usually anhi ang problema sa speed,” he said.

The appropriation for the items will be sourced from the proposed P8.1-billion 2019 Annual Budget. Of the P205.5 million that the CCTO proposes for its operations next year, P5 million will be spent on one tow truck while P202,395 for the two speed guns and decibel meter.

Due to the frequency of vehicular accidents at the SRP, Mayor Tomas Osmeña considered buying speed guns for the city to implement the speed limit, a move that Councilor Eugenio Gabuya wants to also be imposed in other areas around the city.

There’s really a need to control the speed of vehicles plying the Cebu South Coastal Road at the SRP. Accidents occur almost daily along that stretch from Talisay City to Cebu City and authorities should take immediate action.

There is a speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour imposed at the SRP since it opened to the public. But the regulation has always been disregarded by motorists despite signs being put up at the roadside.

An added insult to the injury is the fact that patrolling CCTO personnel and policemen never bother to apprehend overspeeding motorists, who are responsible for most of the accidents – some of which were fatal – that occurred at the SRP.

Yes, there is an urgent need for the city to strictly implement the speed limit in the SRP and other areas in the city if local authorities want to impose discipline among motorists.