We and our cars are the traffic

The dreaded EDSA Rehabilitation may have been postponed for the mean time, however, that doesn’t mean that we can rest easy about traffic. It continues to be a serious problem that will only get worse as time goes on. This is not limited to just those who use EDSA, but everyone within Metro Manila.

- IÑIGO S. ROCES

Some motorists say they refuse to give up their cars because of the inadequate public transportation system, poor road planning, or even lack of traffic control legislation.

Yet in the past couple of years, the government has made many strides to discourage private vehicle use. We now have more buses, modern PUVS operating alongside jeepneys, TNVS cars and motor-cycles, and dedicated bike lanes (now made safer thanks to NCAP’s return). If in spite of all these improvements, few daily drivers have even bothered to consider giving up their cars, then perhaps we really are the problem.

As tempting as it is to blame the government, this is one problem we've all contributed to in some way. After all, our cars take up a substantial space on the road, made worse by the fact that most vehicles are only occupied by one or two passengers. Yet when you think about it, many of these vehicles are headed in the same directions, common destinations, and at particular times of the day.