The Philippine Online Chronicles

After the week-long dry run last week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officially started on Monday the fining of motorcycle drivers violating the new motorcycle lane scheme.

The fourth lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and the outermost lane of Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City have been designated motorcycle lanes or “blue lanes” as a response to the increasing cases of accidents involving motorcycles.

Starting on Monday, violators along Macapagal Boulevard will be fined P1,200, while those along Commonwealth Avenue will be fined P500, said MMDA chairperson Atty. Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino said the difference in fines was “due to to differences in the traffic ordinances in Pasay City and Paranaque.”

The MMDA will also issue traffic citation tickets for those who will be penalized.

Aside from the violation of the blue lane policy, motorcycle riders are not exepmted from the 60 kph speed limit implemented by the MMDA. Riders should also turn their headlight on during day time, or they will be fined P150.

In a radio interview, MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos warned motorcycle riders that fines could go up depending on additional violations that they would commit.

Tolentino said the one-week dry run was more than enough to educate the public on the said traffic scheme.

Around 2,000 violators along Commonwealth Avenue and nearly 1,000 along Macapagal Boulevard caught during the dry run period were given 15-minute on-the-spot lecture on the use of motorcycle lanes and on motorcycle measures, as well as stickers to signify that they finished the lecture.

Dangerous lanes

Tolentino reacted to complaints of motorcycle riders on Commonwealth Avenue saying they are more prone to danger in the new assigned lanes saying, “If motorcycle lanes are placed on inner most or outermost lanes, they have to swerve eight lanes just to turn right or turn left.”

“It is more dangerous for them and even a potential conflict zone,” said Tolentino.

The MMDA official added eight-inch-high concrete separators will also be installed in the area. These will be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the right side of the motorcycle lanes.