The Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) said it will begin the issuance of citation tickets to drivers who violate the new speed limit policy as soon as it takes effect on Thursday, January 11.
TEU Chief PMaj Dexter Domingo bared the TEU will not be letting off apprehended violators with just a warning. He said the month-long information and education campaign on the new speed limit policy should be enough to warn drivers against breaking traffic regulations.
“One month na is already enough […] Tapos na ‘yong one month moratorium natin for education. Now, enforcement naman tayo (A month is already enough […] Our one-month moratorium for education is over. Now, we are at the enforcement stage),” said Domingo.
The TEU has 4 new speed cameras that will be used in the apprehension of speed limit violators. Domingo said all traffic enforcers of the TEU and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office had been trained to properly enforce the City Ordinance 0270-23.
“For example sa Buda, dalawa ang hahanapin na violators doon, just in case. Kasi merong 60 at 50 na violators. May 60 na required para sa mga private vehicles, motorcycles, and vans. Then, ‘yong 50 para naman sa mga trucks (In Buda for example, we will look for two types of violators there. Since there will be violators to the 60 and 50 kph speed limits. The 60 kph is required of private vehicles, motorcycles, and vans. Then, the 50 kph is for trucks),” he said during the AFP-PNP media forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday.
Domingo said the TEU will not only be apprehending speed limit violators on national highways, but also on inner city roads.
“Now, nag-o-augment na rin tayo sa mga schools, mga schools, mga churches and mga busy streets, mayroon na rin tayong designated na speed limit sa mga area na ‘yan (Now we are augmenting traffic enforcement near schools, churches, and busy streets where various speed limits have been designated),” Domingo added.
Penalties for the violation of the policy is at P1,000 for the first offence; P2,000 for the second offence; and P3,000 for the third and subsequent offences.
“Masakit sa kalooban naming mag-issue pero kung kinakailangan dahil may matitigas ang ulo, gagawin namin. That’s why we are appealing to the public sundin natin ang nakatakdang speed limit na nilagay doon sa city ordinance (We take no pleasure in issuing tickets but if we have to because of offenders then we will do it. That is why we are appealing to the public to follow the designated speed limit mandated by the city ordinance),” he said. CIO
