Pinoy Auto BlogThe Philippines' Premier Automotive and Car Blog

Overspeeders beware! The MMDA will be posting your vehicles on its site.

Besides taking a picture of overspeeding cars and sending notices to the violators, the Metro Manila Development Authority will be posting it on their site for everyone to see.

“Our campaign against speedsters will have no let-up. We will continue going after violators for the protection and safety of the public, specifically the pedestrians and commuters,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

But the question remains: there were no details included. Why the shame campaign in the first place? Will this deter potential violators from doing it again? What if the violator has already paid his dues, will the picture be instantly taken down?

[Article via: Sun Star | Image via: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)]

Share on Facebook

So you’re driving down the road, you see a vehicle in front of you that’s belching smoke like it’s a volcano on wheels: what do you do? Take a pic of it and send it to the LTO.

The campaign named, “Sagip Hangin”, started last 2004. It would ask commuters and drivers alike to shoot pictures of vehicles and write down the plate numbers of those who were guilty of smoke belching.

Technology was the reason. Unfortunately, the gadgets then wasn’t that up to par with what we have now. With camphones almost in the mainstream, taking pictures and sending them immediately to the authorities is easy. The Land Transportation Office would then sanction the violators.

Well, that was the plan; the LTO is still ironing the details and database in their system before implementing it. Once done, the LTO will announce the number or email to where people can send the images.

[Article via: GMA News | Image via Gian Cayetano Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)]

Share on Facebook

Was there ever a time that while you’re driving in the left-hand lane, you wished that the slow-moving car or scooter in front of you would just move to the right lane so you can get on your way? If yes, then you should ask Congress to pass the House Bill 1576 as soon as possible.

House Bill 1576 is called the Slow-moving Vehicles Act. It’s authored by Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo and her son, Dato Arroyo. It basically says that if any vehicle that is moving below the required speed of a particular road, should be on the right lane. Violators will pay PHP 10,000 or 3 months driver’s license suspension.

A bit stiff but slow moving vehicles usually clog up the road for those who are in a hurry. There are even cases that they cause accidents because those who overtake them usually counterflows and hits vehicles on the opposite side of the road.

Read the House Bill here

[Image via: Wikipedia Commons]

Share on Facebook

Laws against driving under the influence in the Philippines is about to get serious as the House of Representatives just approved the final reading of a bill that will penalize those caught, with at a max of PHP 20,000 fine and a driver’s license suspension of a month.

The bill creator, former Philippines President and now Pampanga Representative, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and co-creators Rep. Emmeline Aglipay from DIWA party list and Rep. Romeo Acop of Antipolo named it the Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs and Similar Substances Act of 2011.

Will this law (once passed and implemented) be enough to make potential drunk drivers think twice? The Philippines is hoping that it is so.

[Article via: Top Gear PH |Image via: Patrick Fitzgerald]

Share on Facebook

I’ve been getting mixed signals from the signages at Commonwealth Avenue the past few days. It looks like the MMDA has set up No U-Turn signs near the area where Commonwealth ends at Elliptical road in Quezon City. However, there are also signs that say U-Turn and All Traffic ->.

Which is which?

The authorities have recently blocked the “No U-Turn” and “All Traffic ->” (all traffic turn right) signs, but they’re currently doing some construction. They’re probably going to construct a dedicated U-Turn slot to help prevent accidents or congestion between U-turning vehicles and Elliptical road traffic.

Elliptical road is actually one big, giant rotunda with 8-lanes and no islands in between. The thing is, there are 30 Kph max speed signs all around, but the average speed around the circle is about 60 Kph. Elliptical can be a challenge for new drivers, especally with buses (and also private vehicles) swerving across inner and outer lanes when exiting and entering the rotunda.

Image from Butch Dalisay’s Flickr

Share on Facebook

As an answer to grueling problems associated to heavy traffic volume, a new bridge connecting two business-oriented cities Makati and Mandaluyong was opened to motorists.

Spanning 676 meters, the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge is a success story added to the projects completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The formal inauguration of the bridge was attended by Vice President Jejomar Binay, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Austrian Ambassador Wilhelm Donko, Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and Mandaluyong mayor Benhur Abalos.

DPWH allotted P303.655 million for the concrete and modular steel bridge. The Austrian government helped on supplying modular steel component.

[via Inquirer | image credit: DPWH]

Share on Facebook

The Light Rail Transit Authority will have a two-day public consultation regarding the fare hikes for the two LRT lines and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) in Pasig City this Friday for students and Saturday for multi-sectoral groups.

Following the 9 a.m. registration, the public consultation will be held at LRT 2 Depot Cafeteria, Marcos Highway, Santolan, Pasig City at 9:30 a.m.

The LRTA website posted an invitation for anyone who is interested in voicing out his opinion about the LRT and MRT fare hike.

The public consultation is in line with the provisional fare increase for LRT and MRT that was approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications last January 11.

[via GMA | image credit: Neutral Universe]

Share on Facebook

A car made a great impact as it hit the center island along Ortigas, Pasig City early this morning. The catch here is this: the driver is nowhere to be found.

The vehicle was a Ferrari with plate number XRJ-372N. It is assumed that the driver left the vehicle on the scene affecting the traffic within the area.

Later on, the driver was identified as Vincent Escobar. He claimed to be a nephew of a general but he refused to give a name.

Motorists who are bound to get close to Ortigas center island are advised to take alternate routes.

[via]

Share on Facebook

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved the hike from the minimum jeepney fare P7 to P8. The increase will be implemented starting Wednesday. The P1.25 rate for every succeeding kilometer will remain.

A provisional increase of P1 is also approved for provincial fares.

The jeepney fare hike is an answer to the rising prices of basic commodities and maintenance costs.

Since the jeepney fare hike is provisional, it may be revoked once the oil prices drop.

In July 2008, the provisional increase approved by LTFRB was P8.50. Due to the rollback of fuel prices, the rate became P7 in February 2009.

[via GMA]

Share on Facebook

Without a doubt, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is taking serious moves concerning the implementation of stricter traffic rules not just to ensure the safety of motorists but also to truly develop the metro.

After the enforcement of the 60-kph speed limit as well as the lane segregation scheme on Commonwealth Avenue, which is oftentimes dubbed as a “killer highway”, MMDA sets its attention on Roxas Bouelard.

No elaboration was made yet about Roxas Blvd being the next target. Options are already on the table for MMDA now that they have learned lessons from the Commonwealth Ave. scheme.

MMDA will still evaluate their plans on Roxas Boulevard which is an 11-km road connecting Intramuros, Manila to Parañaque City.

[via All Voices]

Share on Facebook