DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 8 January) – The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) here has intensified their campaign for the implementation starting Thursday, January 11, of the new speed limit ordinance, and reminded motorists to follow the measure to avoid getting fined.
CTTMO head Dionisio Abude said they had given away around 50,000 flyers to drivers since December 2023, and had installed signages for the new speed limit in the different parts of the city.
This week, he said they will meet with the City Treasurer’s Office and the City Information Technology Center for the citation tickets and the incorporation of the fines to the computer system.
In an interview with the media Monday morning, he reiterated the new speed limit should help ease traffic congestion and improve traffic flow around the city.
The speed limit on Bunawan-Lasang, Lacson-Buda, and Carabao Monument in Toril-Binugao was increased to 80 kilometers per hour (kph) for small vehicles, and 50 kph for trucks.
On major roads such as Ulas Crossing to Carabao Monument Waypark, Crossing Panacan-Bunawan Crossing, and Davao City Coastal Road, the speed limit would be 60 kph. For minor roads connecting to major roads, the speed limit is set at 30 kph.
On tourist streets, the speed limit for smaller vehicles is 40 kph, and 30 kph for trucks. A speed limit of 20 kph will also be enforced on all public subdivision roads, barangay roads, and school zones.
In addition to the speed limit adjustments, fines for violations have also been increased, from P500 per violation to P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third offense.
Amended speed limit ordinance to discipline drivers
The city ordinance stipulated that “it aims to safeguard all road users, regulate traffic on all streets and the like, to promote public health, safety, convenience, maintenance of peace and order, and promote general prosperity of Dabawenyos.”
Abude claimed that “many accidents are caused by truck drivers transporting heavy loads, due to losing control because of fast speed.”
He added that there are accidents as well that are the “effects of human errors and lack of discipline.”
Abude pointed out the recent accidents in Landmark 3 Sasa and in Calinan last Sunday as examples of “drivers committing human errors resulting in road accidents.” Two people were killed in those accidents.
“Sila mismo ang magdisiplina, dili lang kay magtoyatoy… mao nang naa tay mga concrete nga mga balaod to discipline gyud sa mga operators and drivers (Drivers and operators must discipline themselves, they must not be reckless… We have the laws and ordinances to discipline them),” Abude said.
Abude said the Philippine National Police – Traffic Enforcement Unit in the city would help implement the new speed limit ordinance. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
