TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The city police and LGU have decided to put the drive against vehicular traffic accidents (VTA) on high gear through the adoption of a comprehensive action plan against the problem during the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) April 11.
According to data presented by Supt. Jacob Dangpason, chief of police, 1,100 VTAs took place from 2014 to 2016 and that this left 30 persons dead with 711 cases of physical injuries.
Dangpason said that while there was a significant reduction in VTA cases in 2016, there is still a need to intensify efforts against the menace.
“These incidents greatly affect traffic safety and order for all road users and pedestrians. It may also cause escalation of the incidents to other crimes like physical injuries or homicide considering the behavior of some members of families or tribes,” the action plan stated.
According to the plan, the police will work together with the LGU, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and the entire community “through police visibility, patrolling, information dissemination, education, counseling and enactment of city ordinances or executive orders” to address the problem of VTAs .
The police will deploy enough personnel to monitor violations of traffic laws and ordinances or executive orders.
They will also strictly implement ordinances especially those prohibiting minors from driving without license, driving while under the influence of liquor or prohibited drugs.
Dangpason recommended the enactment of a legislation limiting to 10 PM the drinking time in establishments in the Poblacion because they noted that some of the victims of VTAs are drinkers in barangay Bulanao where closure time is 10 PM motoring to the Poblacion where the existing closure time is 12 midnight.
The action plan also calls on the Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass ordinances on the use of right most outer lane for tricycles and motorcycles and prohibiting minors from driving without license.
Under the action plan, barangay officials are encouraged to mobilize their tanods to help the police in the implementation of the plan.**By Estanislao Albano, Jr.
