Law-abiding motorists celebrate as EDSA Carousel Bus Lane violators learn their lessons the hard way
This past week, the InterAgency Council for Traffic, or I-ACT, conducted a series of roving sting patrols along the EDSA Carousel Bus Lane.
Most motorists who ply the 24-kilometer-long traffic-congested highway already know the existence of these cordoned inner lanes along the length of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. And they know that aside from buses, only ambulances and government vehicles responding to emergencies, are allowed along these lanes.
The exclusivity of the inner lanes isn’t even new. We’ve had this for three years now. We’ve even made a fuss about having concrete barriers along the stretch of EDSA as dangerous for motorists. Heck, there is even a multitude of signages along EDSA that identify the inner lane as “Bus Lane Only.” I don’t know how much clearer it can be than that.
And yet, many motorists on cars and motorcycles were apprehended last week while in the bus lane. To which I say, “Buti nga sa inyo!”
They were ticketed by I-ACT personnel in these sting operations. Trapped inside the lane by concrete barriers, there was no way out except to receive a ticket, be fined P1,000, and be obliged to attend an LTO seminar.
So, the time they wanted to save by using the bus lane was not only lost during the sting operations, but now, they also have to deal with the cost of paying fines, the hassle of attending a seminar, and the shame and ridicule of being seen by the public as law violators. And, again I say, “Ginusto niyo yan eh.”
One motorcycle rider even had the gall to claim in an interview documented by a popular YouTuber that he knew the lane he was on was exclusive for buses. “Maliban sa bus lane, fast lane din pagkakaalam ko,” said the rider about the bus lane. The rider claimed he didn’t know riding his motorcycle on the bus lane would result in a traffic violation.
Sir, “buti na lang nakahelmet at balaclava ka.”
But these bus lane sting operations are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the utter disregard by many for traffic signs and rules of the road. It’s not just erring motorcycle riders, which the public refer to as “kamotes,” that are the problem. Even those on four wheels are brazen enough to take the bus lane for their convenience. They also disregard the signs and even fake emergencies by flashing hazard lights along the bus lane only to get ahead of the law-abiding drivers and riders crawling through traffic.
So obviously, it is not the lack of information or education that leads these people into breaking the law. Their self-centered, world-revolves-around-me attitude gives them the courage to stick a finger up to everyone else on the road.
By being in the bus lane, they are telling everyone they are better than them, they are smarter because they thought of a way to circumvent the system, and they are no fools to waste their precious time in traffic.
Well, to those who got caught, who are the fools now?
Law-abiding motorists had a hearty laugh inside their cars and helmets while passing by the long queues of busted traffic criminals during these sting operations. It is sweet revenge for those who choose to be on the right, day in and day out.
Finally, the government had the courage to enforce the law and give the majority of us who obey it, hope.
But if we really want this society to change, if we really want discipline to reign in our consciousness every time we are on the road, I dare the I-ACT, the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Land Transportation Office, the Department of Transportation, the Philippine National Police, and every local government unit to enforce the rules of the road 24/7.
Those whose job is to enforce the law should do just that. Catch every violator, whatever time of day, and see how our roads will be less chaotic. Make it a painful lesson to disobey traffic rules and watch our roads transform into proper and peaceful venues for mobility.
Do that and see how road users will cultivate and nurture respect for one another – motorists, riders, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Do that and restore the people’s trust in the law and the system.
“Kung walang makakalusot, walang lulusot.”
