Traffic enforcers assist motorists passing along Edsa, near North Avenue, Quezon City. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
In a baffling move, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Wednesday that the speed limit along the 24-kilometer stretch of Edsa will be reduced from a maximum of 60 kilometers per hour to only 50 kilometers per hour.
The traffic reduction measure is intended to further minimize vehicular crashes on the congested highway, MMDA assistant general manager for planning Jojo Garcia said in a press conference.
Garcia said the measure was approved following a meeting with the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which is composed of local government unit leaders in Metro Manila and stands as the policy-making body of the MMDA.
“Na-i-propose dito through sa congressional hearing namin na ibaba ang speed limit (It was proposed here at the congressional hearing to reduce the speed limit),” Garcia said. “From 60, binaba natin ‘yan ng (we have reduced it to) 50 kilometers per hour.”
The reduction in speed limit is inconsistent with studies indicating that it is not the maximum speed that causes crashes but the speed differential among vehicles. Then again, some motorists have shrugged at the new ruling, saying they will never reach 50kph on EDSA anyway, given the daily congestion on the road.
-With report by Julius N. Leonen/jpv
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