DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 June) — Nearly 8 in 10 Davaoeños agree with the overall intent of the driving speed limit ordinance although the approval varies depending on the imposed limits, a study by the University of Mindanao’s Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) revealed.
The study surveyed 1,200 respondents across the city’s three congressional districts from May 16-24 this year, with 936 people agreeing and 170 others not agreeing with the ordinance.
The respondents’ reasons for agreeing with the executive order range from safety to discipline.
However, the IPO added that the respondents noted the law was “interestingly irregular” and “different from national law.”
The city imposed speed limits of 30, 40 and 60 kilometers per hour depending on the location and nature of the city’s streets late last year through an executive order signed by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The survey said that majority of Davaoeños expressed the limits imposed by the ordinance to be within “the right speed,” with 80% of them saying the 40-kph speed limit in some of the city’s longer roads were the “justified maximum acceleration.”
The figure, however, dropped when it comes to the 30 kph speed limit with only 75% of those surveyed agreeing with it while 19% wanted it increased. On the 60 kph limit, 77% of the respondents gave their approval and 17% wanted it increased.
Regarding the city’s highest speed limit, 60 kph, only four percent wanted the limit reduced.
As to the penalties, 583 or 62% of the respondents said the fines are commensurate to the violation. Only 82 of the respondents, or 9%, said the penalty has to be reduced.
“Executive Order No. 39 … has drawn diverse reactions from the riding public since it was implemented six months ago,” the IPO said in a statement.
The survey also noted several perceived drawbacks of the EO.
Of the 170 respondents who disagreed with the ordinance, 36% or 61 respondents said the EO lengthened their travel time to their workplace. Others claimed that it caused traffic gridlock and affected the economy.
Overall, 74% of the respondents believed that the speed limits were satisfactory. Only one percent of the respondents, or 12 people, said they were not satisfied with the limits.
Duterte has been adamant in keeping the current speed limits after hearing reports of children facing speeding public utility jeeps daily even when they are crossing pedestrian lanes.
Earlier this year, Duterte even said vehicles used for emergencies such as ambulances and those used by police are not exempted from the executive order. (MindaNews)
