The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) apprehended 178 motorcycle riders for violating the motorcycle lane scheme along Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Monday.

Starting Monday, the fourth lane of Commonwealth Avenue and the outermost lane of Macapagal Boulevard began serving as motorcycle lanes.

MMDA reported that violators were held during the first three hours of implementation of the traffic scheme.

MMDA Supervisor Maximo Dilla said the motorcycle drivers, including policemen, soldiers, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) employees and even MMDA workers, were given an on-the-spot 15-minute lecture on the use of motorcycle lanes and on motorcycle safety measures, in front of St. Peter's Parish along Commonwealth Avenue.

Land Transportation Office engineer Joel Donato said light vehicles may still “pass through” the motorcycle lane in Commonwealth Avenue.

The first week of the implementation of the motorcycle lane scheme will serve as a dry run.

Starting October 24, all violators will be fined P500, besides being given the on-the-spot lecture.

'A good idea' – Revilla

Meanwhile, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. expressed support for the traffic scheme, which he said “will keep riders safe.”

“This is a good idea by the MMDA. We support this and hope it will be implemented fully,” said Revilla, who authored the Mandatory Helmet Act for motorcycle riders.

“Undeniably, the motorcycle riders are now a major sector of our society. Unfortunately, our presence is just being realized both by the public and the government due to the alarming increase of motorcycle-related acctidents,” he said.

Revilla pointed out that implementing the motorcycle scheme will prevent motorcycles from swerving in and out of lanes, which is a common complaint among motorists.

Revilla, however, said that special lanes should not exempt motorists from the 60 kilometer-per-hour speed limit of the MMDA.

MMDA also plans to put motorcycle lanes along EDSA and C-5 Road.

MMDA implemented the special lane rule due to the alarming increase in road accidents involving motorcycles. During the first quarter of the year, around 8,000 motorcycle accidents and 83 deaths were recorded by the agency, ABS-CBN News reported.