THERE have been many policies made before to address traffic problems in Davao City.
Recently, the Davao City Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) started the enforcement of the 20-second parking rule within the “yellow box” loading and unloading areas for passenger vehicles in designated areas.
Davao City has turned itself into the center of trade and commerce in Mindanao, this has affected the traffic and traffic management of the city making it a huge problem.
With the new 20-second parking rule, Dionisio Abude, head of the CTTMO, said this might help in minimizing traffic problem in areas where they installed the signage to remind the Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) drivers that they will be facing penalty should they exceed the 20-second rule.
“As indicated in our traffic sign, like our plan for 20 seconds, it should be the time for the loading and unloading. We observed most of all the loading and unloading bays were used as terminal even if there were no passengers, the PUJs will be on standby until it gets filled,” he said.
They started their information drive about this on June 25 and just last week they began its implementation. Unlike before where PUJs can wait as long as they want at loading and unloading bays, PUJs are now given a limited time to give chance for other PUJs to use the yellow box.
Yellow boxes are painted in identified areas like in Maa, in front of NCCC in Juna Subdivision, Pichon St., C.M. Recto, San Pedro St., Uyanguren, Agdao, J.P. Laurel (near mental hospital, one in Gaisano mall and Burger King) and in Victoria Plaza.
The new rule requires public utility vehicles to pick up and drop off passengers within 20 seconds as a measure to minimize traffic congestion however they clarified that PUVs loading or unloading persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and senior citizens are exempted from this 20-second rule.
A P500 penalty will be imposed on drivers who disregard traffic signs and regulations as well as those who obstruct traffic flow.