A House leader on Tuesday urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office to launch a crackdown against poorly maintained public utility vehicles, closed vans, hauler or cargo trailers, shuttle services and tanker trucks.
Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas said that only last Monday, at least 10 people were injured when a truck mowed down three vehicles along the Marcos Highway in Antipolo City. The driver of the wayward 24-wheeler Isuzu truck claimed he lost his brakes causing the road mishap.
Trenas, the principal author of the proposed law requiring speed limiters for PUVs and trucks, said as a rule, operators and owners should conduct regular maintenance and make sure that their vehicles are road-worthy at all times.
“It’s just sad that these speed demons always blame their vehicles every time they are involved in accidents. Isn’t it part of their duty to make sure that the vehicles they are driving are safe?” Trenas said.
“We cannot just allow irresponsible drivers and vehicle owners to get away with their recklessness without taking any criminal liability. Accidents happen but accidents can be also avoided if every one is responsible on the road,” Trenas, vice chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, added.
Trenas said that he would propose a law that imposes penalties not just on the drivers but their operators as well each time the PUVs and trucks that they drive or own are involved in accidents caused by mechanical failure due to lack of proper maintenance.
“The overall safety of our roads does not just involve having responsible drivers. We have to make sure that all vehicles that ply our streets are safe and roadworthy at all times,” Trenas said.
Trenas, who introduced the speed limiter concept in the Philippines following a series of deadly accident involving public utility buses, said that he would file a bill proposed “Road Users’ Code” which provides safety guidelines for all motorists, pedestrians and even cyclists, including possible penal provisions.
Such code would include, Trenas said, specific provisions that would require regular maintenance of all vehicles particularly on the brake and clutch systems. Service receipts and certifications can be issued by any auto shop to prove that a vehicle has undergone regular maintenance as would required by the proposed “Road Users’ Code.”
Last January, Congress has approved the passage of Trenas’ proposed “Speed Limiter Act” and is expected to be signed into law before President Aquino steps down in June this year.
Under the proposed law, it now becomes mandatory to install speed limiters in every public utility vehicle, excluding taxis, tricycles, and jeepneys.