THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has warned motorists and motorcycle riders to stay out of the EDSA Bus Carousel Lane.
“The MMDA strongly warns private motorists and motorcycle riders not to pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel Lane. This is not a fast lane, but only for passenger buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles that respond to emergencies,” the agency stated in its advisory.
The advisory was issued following reports that another accident involving a motorcycle rider happened on the southbound lane of EDSA-Ortigas.
The accident caused heavy traffic along EDSA.
“For motorcyclists, it is good to wear safety gear and obey traffic laws to avoid accidents,” the MMDA stated.
Two months ago, a motorcycle rider died after he figured in a hit-and-run incident at the southbound bus lane of EDSA Shaw Blvd.
“It is with profound sadness that this incident happened. We express our deepest condolences to the family of the rider,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.
“We keep on reminding motorists not to use the innermost lane of EDSA as it may result in an accident, but despite our repeated calls and pleas, many drivers of privately-owned vehicles and motorcycle riders disregard the policy,” he added.
Artes cited that there was also an increase in accidents in the last quarter of last year, coinciding with the imposition of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
The monitored traffic violations since the suspension of NCAP have also increased. In May of this year alone, 32,739 traffic violations were recorded.
These traffic violations cause road accidents and slow down vehicular traffic, Artes said.
“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to a greater risk,” said Artes.
Artes said the agency will also coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General to show the agency’s data and to possibly file a motion for the Supreme Court (SC) to consider lifting the TRO imposed upon the agency’s NCAP. The SC issued on August 30, 2022 a TRO against MMDA’s NCAP.