Up to LGUs to implement speed limits on roads across the country

Hopefully, proper speed limits are implemented in all roads in the future

Speed kills, it really does. Just look at the number of accidents we have daily from speeding.

Not only does speeding affect drivers and other motorists on the road, but it also puts pedestrians in danger. According to statistical data, speed is the most significant road safety risk factor as it increases both road crash risk and injury severity. Furthermore, speeding is one of the biggest cause of road deaths and accidents in the country.

In a bid to make the roads safer for motorists and pedestrians, the Department of Transporation (DOTr), represented by Usec. Mark Richmund de Leon, and the Land Transporation Office (LTO), represented by Asec. Edgar Galvante, together with ImagineLaw, has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-001, also known as “Guidelines and Standards for Classifications of Roads, Setting Speed Limits under Republic Act No. 4136 and Collection of Road Crash Data”, will be implemented nationwide.

Issued in collaboration between the DOTr, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-001 helps set guidelines on implementing and setting speed limits to different local government units (LGUs). The joint memorandum will help LGUs determine, set, and implement speed limits on various roads in the area. It will also help train local enforcers and possibly supply them with the equipment needed to enforce the speed limit.

According to Sophia Monica San Luis, executive director of ImagineLaw, LGU training conducted with foreign specialists have already begun since last year in select provinces. Furthermore, some have already even enacted speed limits based on JMC 2018-001. However, she says that there are still over 1,000 LGUs left, and they hope to complete the training in all LGUs in the next 2-3 years.

For now, there was no timeline provided as to when speed limits on Philippine roads will be implemented by LGUs. In fact, we learned that the LGUs cannot be forced to implement speed limits in their respective area. Instead, it is up to the LGU officials whether or not to heed JMC No. 2018-001, and set proper speed limits for local roads.

So if you want speed limits implemented in your area, better go up to your local counselor.