WOULD the imposition of stiffer penalties deter erring drivers from committing traffic violations? I beg to disagree. Consider this. Years ago, we imposed death penalty, but it did not deter criminals from committing heinous crimes. At present, killings, either through legitimate police operations or extra-judicial killings, are happening everywhere in pursuit of the government’s war on drugs. But the illegal drug trade is still prevalent. This means punitive action is not a deterrent to the commission of violations.
I also fully agree with the stand of the political opposition in Cebu City that the proposed increase in penalty for traffic violations is anti-poor. The public transportation sector would be the most affected if this proposal is approved by the City Council.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, who is the deputy mayor for police matters, and Francisco “Isko” Ouano, chief of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), admitted that the idea came from the “former political has-been.” He is toying with the idea of increasing the penalty from the current P1,000 per violation to P3,000 in order to discipline erring drivers and to increase the revenue collected from traffic violations.
Any amendment to the City’s Traffic Code should be approved by the Council. Considering that the Council is dominated by the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), the proposal will sail smoothly once tackled by the august body. BOPK minions cannot say “no” to their political master.
This is anti-poor because the most affected would be the drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) whose income depends on the volume of commuters that they ferry every day. That’s why it is easy for those who are not in the public transport industry to say that drivers should not violate traffic rules so they will not be penalized with that big amount.
No one is perfect, as the saying goes. No matter how careful you may be, there are times that you commit mistakes. Besides, imposing heavier penalties is a source of corruption for the implementing agency, in this case, the Cebu City Transportation Office. Do you think apprehended drivers will not offer for settlement with a lower amount?
And do you think the operator will shoulder the penalty? No. It will be charged to the driver. The driver’s take-home pay is not even enough to pay the penalty. The tendency is that the apprehended driver will borrow money from the operator and pay it with interest. And where will the driver get his daily sustenance? Kulob ang kaldero.
The same thing with private vehicle drivers. Do you think the owner of the private vehicle will shoulder the penalty of his driver who commits the violation? The owner will charge it to the driver’s salary. Pila ra intawon suweldo sa private vehicle drivers.
Imposing heavier penalty is not the only way to discipline erring drivers. Why not use the educational approach through seminars and symposiums?
This move is a sort of political suicide on the part of the administration, especially because the elections are approaching. I am sure many are against this. The opposition will make this a political issue.
The “former political has-been” should better think things over before he orders his minions in the Council to pass a measure on this.