Lack of discipline is main cause of traffic —HPG chief Gunnacao

The main cause of traffic in Metro Manila is lack of discipline on the road, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said on Tuesday at the very first live broadcast of #AskAway: the GMA News Facebook Q&A.

Gunnacao called on motorists and commuters to have self-discipline and follow the rules.

“Ang pagbabago ay nagsisimula sa ating sarili. Self-discipline ang pinag-uusapan dito. Kahit wala kang kasama sa kalsada na tumatakbo, kapag naka-red, hindi ka dapat dumiretso… Malulutas ‘yan, unahin lang ang disiplina. Umpisahan ang disiplina sa sarili,” Gunnacao said.

Gunnacao also called on everyone to do his part.

“Dapat magkaisa… ‘Yung mga nakatira doon sa eskinita, ‘di sila sumasakay sa PUVs pero meron silang sariling sasakyan. Dapat makiisa sila na kailangan malinis ‘yung mga kalye. Sana huwag silang magparada doon… 'Yung mga pasahero natin, huwag pumagitna sa daan,” Gunnacao said.

Ultimately, Gunnacao admitted that not following rules on the road is part of our culture and that it needs to change.

“Majority ng drivers natin, kailangan i-educate para makuha nila ‘yung tama na traffic rules and regulations. Ang recommendation ko diyan, bago mag-renew ng lisensya mo, magkaroon ka ng one hour orientation o seminar para ma-refresh ka sa rules and regulations,” Gunnacao said.

Gunnacao also pointed out that the existing process for getting driver’s licenses does not need to change. Rather, the employees who administer the tests need to strictly implement the process of getting licenses.

“Hindi ka na mag-e-exam. Bibigyan ka na ng answers para papasa ka doon sa exam. Supposed to be, bago ka bigyan ng lisensya, meron kang practical exercise para malaman kung marunong ka bang mag-drive o hindi. Wala tayo nun,” Gunnacao said.

Roads, mass transport

Gunnacao added that the existing road system needs to be updated to accommodate the growing number of motorists.

“Tatlo lang ang light rail natin: LRT 1, LRT 2, MRT 3… Mass transport system natin ang kailangan i-improve,” Gunnacao said.

Talking about a bike system, Guanaco said that the existing infrastructure is not designed for it.

“Hindi advisable na mag-bike ka, kasi walang bike lane na exclusive,” Guanaco said.

Gunnacao believes that a carpooling system can be used to alleviate traffic congestion.

“Magwo-work ‘yan kung ipa-patronize ng mga tao ‘yun. Pero sa ating mga Pilipino, ayaw natin 'yung lagi tayong may kasama. Gusto natin, may sarili tayong lakad eh. Kultura sa Amerika ang nagtitipid ng pera. Tayo, hindi naman tayo nagtitipid eh… Convenience ang lagi mong iniisip hindi 'yung gastos,” Gunnacao said.

Ride sharing

Gunnacao also said that ride sharing apps like Uber and GrabCar help in decongesting the road.

"Maganda ang Uber dahil nasa kalye lang ‘yan ‘pag may ipi-pick up. Hindi gaya ng taxi, takbo ng takbo ‘yan, naghahanap ng pasahero,” Gunnacao said.

Worst traffic

The Philippines placed fifth in the list of countries with the worst traffic in the world this year, based on the Traffic Index for Country 2015 Mid Year report.

Metro Manila, on the other hand, has been reported to have the worst traffic on Earth on a city level, according to the traffic and navigation app Waze in its latest Global Driver Satisfaction Index. —KG, GMA News