Traffic violations, lack of discipline among causes of congestion along Marcos Highway—MMDA
The heavy congestion experienced along Marcos Highway is caused by traffic violations and lack of discipline among motorists and commuters, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority revealed.
The agency on Dec. 14 released the results of its traffic assessment of the highway, after the thoroughfare was caught in a gridlock on Dec. 6.
"Base sa traffic assessment sa highway, ang patuloy na paglabag sa mga regulasyon ng trapiko, na nagpapakita ng kawalan ng disiplina, ang pangunahing sanhi ng pagbigat ng trapiko sa highway," the MMDA said.
It then listed some traffic violations observed, such as: jeepneys stopping to load or unload passengers at improper areas and commuters not staying at proper waiting sheds.
"Ang mga motorista naman ay ipinipilit ang kanilang gusto kahit mali, na nagreresulta sa kaguluhan at pagbagal ng trapiko," the agency added.
The MMDA furthered that it has deployed more traffic enforcers, as well as installed additional signage and signals to curb the traffic.
Mall-wide sales in the shopping malls in the area have been stopped.
On Dec. 10, MMDA chairperson Don Artes requested malls to avoid rolling out the grand sale to ease the holiday rush.
"Kapag sobra ang traffic, nawawala po ‘yung foot traffic sa kanila mga mall, nadi-discourage din pumunta ‘yung mga mamimiili at nakakabawas din sa sales nila," he said.
A few weeks before Christmas Day, several malls have implemented adjusted mall hours to manage the expected influx of shoppers and traffic. Most have shifted their operating hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, except for holidays and weekends.
In its traffic assessment, the MMDA noted that the measure isn't enough. "Kailangan ang disiplina, aktibong pakikipagtulungan, at kooperasyon ng motorista at commuters asa pagpapabuti ng daloy ng trapiko sa highway," it said.
Artes told Dos Por Dos on DZRH that the daily vehicle volume in Metro Manila is at 3.6 million. Amid the holiday rush, more than 434,000 vehicles have been logged at EDSA.