Moving beyond jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles

In the Philippines, transportation is both a lifeline and a source of daily frustration. Jeepneys and tricycles, iconic as they are, have long been the go-to mode of transport for millions of Filipinos.

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And with the entry of electric vehicles (EVs), E-trikes with two, three, and four wheels have joined the competition for road space causing more frustration to daily commuters and motorists.

Spicing up the swarming vehicles on our limited road space are the motorcycles whose numbers have increased by leaps and bounds, we do not need to mention a figure to illustrate that point. Only last weekend, another road rage case erupted from the battle for road space, resulting in the death of one and injury of three persons from gunshot wounds. The videos on that encounter, plus those that have surfaced from the dashcams of vehicles following the motorcycle and the SUV tell another sad story. Road rage can be caused not by waiting too long in crawling traffic, but also by unconventional risky maneuvers.

Education on road use needed

I will not add to the volumes of comments on that road rage incident in Antipolo. I mentioned it only as a contributing problem to a population still unprepared for sustainable urban mobility. Much education is needed by all who are road users, especially the new ones who are now driving e-trikes like they are four-wheel vehicles. We are all sharing road space, and to do this successfully, rules have to be followed. Number one rule is to be aware of one's lane and when to overtake.