Philippines’ Pedestrian Lanes

It’s really good to know about our government making laws for the convenience and safety of the people, but, as to how they were implemented from the moment they were passed is something interesting to talk about.

Hurrying for a class on the other building of UP Cebu across the street of Gorordo Ave,my classmates and I patiently waited for all the rushing vehicles to pass through. Instead of slowing down on a school zone area, those drivers are rushing and even competing as if in a race. “Please just let us cross first!” I murmured discreetly. Facing a zebra lane in front of me, I wonder: How have we been implementing our pedestrian laws these days, by the way?

I just could not understand why vehicles couldn’t just stop in those pedestrian lanes or even just slow down to give way to the pedestrians when in fact, according to what Presidential Decree 1958, pedestrian lanes “oblige motorists to give way to pedestrians.”

Elsewhere in Cebu, I’ve also seen some pedestrian lanes which are not also respected by the rushing vehicles: One in Jones Ave., between Samsung Service Center and PLDT, another in P. del Rosario St., between ELICON Hotel and GMT Bldg., and many more; Also somewhere in Mindanao, in the province of Misamis Occidental – where I came from. Many, if not all of our pedestrian lanes there are not respected. Vehicle drivers treated them as if they just don’t exist.

Even now, I could still remember myself before, questioning their significance on streets, because actually, we never really make use of their primary function, in the first place.

Pedestrian lanes are the pedestrians’ right of place to cross the streets. As what Chapter IV, Traffic Rules, Article III, Right of Way and Signals, Section 42(c) states that “The driver of any vehicle upon a highway within a business or residential district shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing such highway within a crosswalk, except at intersections where the movement of traffic is being regulated by a peace officer or by traffic signal.

“Every pedestrian crossing a highway within a business or residential district, at any point other than a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to vehicles upon the highway.”

Also known as “zebra lanes” because of its white horizontal lines painted alternately on streets, they are designated areas on the road that assist people in crossing. They are the allocated places where people can cross safely in a busy road.

On the other hand, they are also the places wherein drivers should respect because they have also given the freedom to rush in the remaining parts of the streets- in places without these lanes.

Given by this P.D. 1958, which has been implemented by the Philippine government for the good of its very own citizens, I wonder how could this bad practice (disrespecting pedestrian lanes) still exists, when in fact, the law is a good thing to exercise on, in the first place.

Why? Is it because of being just ignorant to this law? Is it because we’re just undisciplined citizens? or worse, just too inconsiderate and impatient to obey the law for others’ benefit (on the drivers’ part)?

Aside from respecting the right and privilege of the pedestrians on crosswalks, there’s also a deeper purpose to be concerned about. It’s the safety of the people crossing and the probable damage it would incur to the driver.

Actually, to respect the commanding presence of the pedestrian lanes is a win-win situation to both parties- to the driver and to the pedestrians. By following the law on these lanes, pedestrians could safely cross the street in the middle of a busy road, while on the driver, they could also get away from fines for hitting the person and avoid paying for the damages it would inflict to the pedestrian.

Though, it’s clear to see that it’s a more privilege to the pedestrians (only applies crosswalk) but fairly, the law also provides a penalty for those pedestrians who cross on undesignated places.

In Cebu City, most commonly in Colon St., I can always hear many people being fined for jaywalking. So, unless you want a fine of more or less 200 pesos, and the hassle that comes along with it for jaywalking, you better follow the rules associated with pedestrian lanes.

How we respond to our laws also reflects our character as Filipinos. If other countries, who also have these strict implementations on the road can follow the rules, then why can’t we? For a law to successfully function, cooperation of its people is needed.

I think it’s about time to check our attitudes towards the laws our government has been implementing. We always demand for whatever law we want but are we also taking a full grasp on what we currently have?

Clear to say, the reason for the law is not just for the benefit of the pedestrians. Rather, it is also a good way to organize our roads.

I will be crossing again the same crosswalk tomorrow. I know change sometimes won’t take place overnight, though. But as to my case, would I still be waiting again, for vehicles to pass though, while worrying to be late again in my next class? I don’t know. I just wish I wouldn’t be so.

Photo by Ryan Seismundo