Tuesday, June 03, 2008 Transport exec calls for respect of PWD rights By Rimaliza Opiña
TRANSPORTATION Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. called on motorists to be mindful of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs), in terms of giving them time to cross busy streets.
Reacting over complaints of some PWDs that motorists do not comply with traffic rules that mandate them to slow down when passing PWD lanes or blue lanes, Mandapat said this is the reason why the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is conducting a re-training of drivers when renewing their licenses.
The LTO is under the supervision of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Mandapat at the same time called on pedestrians to respect the use of blue lanes. He stressed PWDs and the elderly are the only ones who are entitled to use the special lanes.
Government line agencies are promoting road safety for motorists and pedestrians.
Recently, the Department of Health (DOH) also issued stickers bearing safety measures to be followed by pedestrians. The project is in line with the promotion of road safety by several agencies like the DOTC, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Intended for posting in public utility jeepneys (PUJs), the policy on Road Safety for Pedestrians reiterates the most basic traffic rules, taught to us in grade school.
These include: crossing at corners or at duly-marked pedestrian lanes, obeying traffic lights and road signs, walk on sidewalks not on busy streets and giving cars the right of way.
Precautions also include stopping, looking and listening before crossing busy streets; avoid using your cellular phone while walking; and getting in and out of vehicles in designated areas only.
