Cops, soldiers among motorcycle lane violators

Not even motorcycle-riding policemen and soldiers were exempted from on-the-spot safety seminars after being caught outside designated motorcycle lanes in two major thoroughfares in Metro Manila Monday. The policemen, soldiers and even Metropolitan Manila Development Authority employees were among those caught violating the motorcycle lane policy, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. All violators were made to attend a 15-minute safety seminar, after which, stickers were placed on their motorcycles indicating they had attended such a seminar, the report added. MMDA Traffic Discipline Office OIC Yves Gonzalez said at least 503 violators had been flagged down as of noon. "As of (noon), nakahuli tayo ng 503, combined sa Commonwealth at Macapagal (As of noon, we flagged down 503 violators at Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and Macapagal Boulevard in southern Metro Manila)," Gonzalez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

The MMDA had started Monday a one-week dry run of the motorcycle lanes, after which it will fully implement the policy starting Oct. 24. Last week, the MMDA implemented a one-week information drive to inform motorcycle riders about the new lanes. Gonzalez said the MMDA has already put in place signs along strategic areas informing motorcycle riders of the location of the lanes. On the other hand, Gonzalez admitted there were many hardheaded motorcycle riders on the first day of the dry run. "1st day of motorcycle lanes implementation. Syempre madaming pasaway. :) (Of course there were many hardheaded violators)," he said on his Twitter account, where he posted a photo of those taking the seminar. — RSJ, GMA News