WITH fewer vehicles on the street, it is not surprising to see some drivers breaking the speed limit. You can observe that in some portions of the city, especially where there is a 30-kilometer per hour (kph) speed limit, several drivers are clearly going beyond the set limit.
We would like to remind our drivers that despite the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Davao City, the city’s speed limit is still there.
Under Executive Order No. 13 series of 2013, which was signed by former Davao City mayor, now president, Rodrigo R. Duterte, maximum allowable speeds in Davao City are 60 kph, 40 kph, and 30 kph, depending on where you are.
The maximum allowable speed from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing; from Lasang to Panacan; from Calinan to Ulas Crossing; and from CP Garcia Highway-McArthur Highway to Panacan is 60kph. From Ulas to Generoso Bridge/Bolton Bridge; from Panacan Crossing to JP Laurel Avenue-Alcantara; and from Ma-a Road Diversion to McArthur Highway maximum allowable speed is at 40kph. From JP Laurel Avenue-Alcantara to Bolton/Generoso Bridge; from Buhangin Crossing-Milan to Bolton/Generoso Bridge; from CP Garcia Highway-Bacaca Road to Bolton/Generoso Bridge; from CP Gracia Highway-Angliongto St. to Bolton/Generoso Bridge speed limit is at 30 kph.
Due to some drivers going beyond the speed limit, there may have been several road accidents that happened in the past weeks that could be due to drivers picking up speed.
It is not only drivers who are violating simple traffic rules.
Pedestrians have also forgotten where to cross. We have observed some people suddenly crossing the street when the crossing lane is just a couple of meters away from them.
With some vehicles speeding in the downtown streets and pedestrians suddenly crossing, it is an accident waiting to happen.
Aside from traffic rules, drivers should also continue to observe road etiquette while on the street -- signaling when they are turning right, slowing down at pedestrian lanes, and observing proper parking.
For those biking or walking, they must also be alert while on the street. For example, those who are biking must practice proper hand signals when taking a left or right turn while those who are walking must cross the main roads using the pedestrian lane or overpass.
While there are fewer vehicles on the street, one must still observe proper road etiquette and traffic rules to ensure the safety of everyone.