EDITORIAL

Safe and Enjoyable Driving

Last week, helmet as headgear for motorcycle riders enjoyed a brisk sale in Kalibo. The authorities in Aklan has finally wake up to the reality that motorcycle riding is dangerous but the danger in it will surely be minimized if not stopped in case of accident by wearing headgear. So that the police is now implementing the law requiring motorcycle riders to wear headgear to protect the head in case of vehicular accident.
Some medical doctors and hospital staff members in Iloilo City has the observation that majority of the victims brought to their respective hospitals came from Aklan.
The imposition on the motorcycle riders to wear headgears while riding on a motorcycle is an excellent start to enforce traffic laws, rules and regulations to save lives and properties, as well as maintain road courtesy and discipline.
Wearing of headgear is just the beginning and is just one measure to mitigate the effect of accident. Better still, if other measures be instituted to prevent accidents.

SPEED

The motorists must be compelled to observe speed limit. Speed limit and other signages be installed in the appropriate and necessary locations of the road to caution motorists such as in curves and road intersections.

POLLUTION

In Aklan, both two-wheel, three-wheel and 4-wheel or more vehicles are agents of pollution. Aklan is fast becoming noisy due to vehicle engines and blowing of horns and a huge "hell" because of fumes. It is only in the Philippines where drivers love to blow their horns. Due to poor vehicle maintenance and the mixing of oil with fuel in the case of motorcycles, Kalibo is becoming the center of fumes.
Those poorly maintained vehicles just stall on the road and become traffic hazards.

DRIVING SCHOOL

Aklan has no driving school where to study and learn the art and science of defensive and safe driving. As soon as one learns to start the motor engine and transfer gears, he/she applies and obtains a driver’s license by any means. This kind of driver becomes a menace to other motorists and pedestrians on the road. This is a driver who does not know how to dim its light in the evening, yield to other motorists when needed, runs according to allowable speed.
This is a driver who may not understand what is the meaning of the broken white lines and the yellow lines on the roads. Even those who understand what are white and yellow lines do not observe the meanings and just ignore it.

PARKING

The ordinance on "Parking" is the most abused and disobeyed. Anybody may visit Toting Reyes St. and Roxas Avenue and witness the various ways the tricycle drivers mock, abuse and disobey the parking ordinance.
Everyday, tricycles are parked along those roads not only in one but two and even in three layers. Anyone who wishes to enjoy the heat and the smoke, just visit and linger at Roxas Avenue, Toting Reyes Street and the Shopping Center.
However, the preservation and maintenance of a place as peaceful, enjoyable and healthful is everybody’s functions. It is not only of the police and of the government officials but it is of everybody.
Therefore, all must cooperate to have and maintain peace and order in our community. One means to have peace is obedience to traffic laws, rules and regulations. /MP