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Friday, February 10, 2006
Banilad now a ‘no-fault zone’
THE Gov. Cuenco Ave. in Banilad is now a “no-fault zone,” but this doesn’t mean motorists can do anything they want.
The declaration means only one thing: violations will not be tolerated.
There are instances when traffic violators are merely given a warning not to do the same thing again, but this “tolerance or consideration” is not allowed in a “no-fault zone.”
Some Cebu City councilors were confused with the terminology during their deliberation, but approved the recommendation after being told its meaning.
The council approved for the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to implement this, but warned Citom not to set up signs announcing the declaration to avoid confusing motorists.
The term “no-fault zone” may be interpreted as an area where violations are tolerated, cited Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, and this is the exact opposite of what Citom intends.
“Does it mean that even though you bump someone, because it is a no-fault zone, you are not at fault?” she asked.
Idle no more
Councilor Procopio Fernandez, whose committee recommended the approval of the request, said the declaration means all laws will be strictly implemented in the area covering the stretch from Gaisano Country Mall to Banilad.
Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa also wondered whether the declaration means that it is okay to violate the law in other places.
The committee on police, fire, penology and public safety, which Fernandez heads, favored the declaration of the stretch from Paradise Village across Gaisano Country Mall to Banilad a no-fault zone.
The committee said all laws “should not be left idle and must be utilized and implemented for all intents and purposes,” not just in a certain area but in all of Cebu City.
But it acknowledged that traffic law enforcement “must be coupled with reason and sound judgment,” so there are instances where violators are merely warned not to do the same thing again.
This, however, does not apply in “no-fault zones.”
Vice Mayor Michael Rama initially wanted to defer approval of Fernandez’s committee report, saying Citom must clarify the definition.
But Councilor Augustus Pe, after leaving for a few minutes, asked for reconsideration and informed him that the term was first used after the construction of the second Mandaue-Mactan Bridge (now known as the Marcelo Fernan Bridge).
A “no-fault zone” is used to distinguish an area where any form of tolerance or consideration against any law is not allowed, Pe said. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 10, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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