Editorial: Davao has bad drivers

DAVAO City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chair Dionisio Abude recently said they are hoping to get additional tow trucks as illegal parking violations in the city have been so prevalent lately.

For a city that is portrayed by many of its citizens as "disciplined", when it comes to parking and traffic etiquttes, Davao City is far from being disciplined.

Despite the traffic laws in place, many Dabawenyos still try to break the law to fit their comfort. They have a habit of doing it when the traffic enforcers are not around.

It is a common sight to see vehicles parked along some major or even barangay roads resulting to congested roads. Two-lane roads become one-lane roads while four-lane roads are turned into two-lane roads. Wide roads become narrow roads due to vehicles being parked on the side.

Portions of Roxas Avenue, Magsaysay Avenue, and CM Recto Street are just some of the roads in the city where private and commercial vehicles turn portions of the street into parking spaces. Some would also turn sidewalks into parking spaces too, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road and endangering their lives.

Whether these violators like it or not we are happy to see that their vehicles are being towed. At least the roads become less congested.

Another bad habit of Davao City drivers is their excessive use of the hazard lights. Along the two-lane Jacinto St. some drivers would cause bottlenecks due to this habit and turn the street into a one-lane street.

These are just some of the habits of Davao drivers that vex many Dabawenyos. Other drivers would still try to break traffic rules even when nobody is looking.

Maybe it is time for the city to provide additional resources to the CTTMO to ensure that the traffic in many parts of the city be improved and more violators are apprehended. A heavier penalty against these violators is also welcomed.

It is also timely that efforts are being made for the establishment of parking facilities but it is taking too long.

As the city grows and more come to Davao to seek new opportunities, there will also be a growth in the number of people who will use private vehicles, some of whom may be traffic violators in the future.

The city must act quickly to ensure its drivers are also disciplined or else become known as the city of bad drivers.