A lot of drivers in Manila do not acknowledge the pedestrian lanes. This has led San Juan Councilor Angelo Agcaoili to author a draft ordinance that requires drivers to step on the brakes when someone’s using the lane – even if it’s just one person.
Agcaoili himself has experienced unpleasant treatment from drivers – he was crossing the street near Greenhills Shopping Center when two cars passed by, nearly hitting him.
Agcaoili said that jaywalkers get fined, why can’t undisciplined drivers be fined, too?
Under the proposed measure, a driver who doesn’t stop when at least one person is crossing will be fined P1,000 for the first offense and P2,000 for the next offenses.
For fines that are unpaid, there will be a 1 percent interest, although it shall not go higher than P5,000. The driver’s license will also be confiscated; the only time it will be returned is when the fine is paid, according to Inquirer.
