Calls for motorists to be more careful on the road were raised following reports that a senior citizen was hit by a motorcycle rider while crossing the street in Manila.
An AM radio station reported that an 81-year-old female was hit by a rider in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on August 11.
It was reported that the rider was about to go home when the elderly woman allegedly suddenly crossed the street.
The rider recounted that he tried to shout and warn her not to cross, but she insisted on running, which led to her being hit.
Reports said that the elderly woman sustained injuries following the incident.
The news sparked discussions among Filipinos about defensive driving and giving way to pedestrians.
Defensive driving means proactively anticipating hazards on the road and taking preventive measures to prevent accidents.
“Ingat kayo, mga nag-mo-motor sa kalsada na ‘yan, Rizal Ave at Recto Ave… Isama [niyo] na rin ang Abad Santos, sadyang naka gawian na ng mga tao diyan na biglang tumatawid, kahit sa mga may stop light at naka go/green signal,” a Facebook user wrote.
“Hindi nila alintana ‘yan. Isama mo na rin mga sasakyan… at lalo na sa mga crossing na walang stop light, ugaliing mag-menor, preno ang pigain o tapakan at hindi busina ang pindutin,” the online user added.
“‘Di ba uso sa motor ang preno, pansin ko lang… ‘Di din ba uso sa motor ang takbong chil lang, talagang arangkadang race track agad, ‘di ba matic, ‘pag ped xing or crossing, na magbagal ka ng takbo,” another said.
“Ano daw? Sinubukan sumigaw at pagsabihan ang biktima na ‘wag tumawid pero nagpumilit? Talaga ba? Pressence of mind as a rider or driver, tayo ang may control ng sinilyador at preno,” a different Pinoy commented.
“Kung pinairal mo sana presence of mind mo, nag-menor ka sana at nag-preno, sabay pinatawid mo ‘yung matanda, edi sana ‘di ka naka-disgrasya,” the online user added.
The Land Transportation and Traffic Code states that drivers “shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing such highway within a crosswalk” when upon a highway within a business or residential district.
However, it does not apply to intersections, where the movement of traffic is being regulated by an officer or by traffic signal.
The law also states that pedestrians “shall yield the right of way to vehicles upon the highway” if they are to cross a highway within a business or residential district in which there is no crosswalk.
Last year, an LTO regional officer said that pedestrians “need to prioritize their safety before their right-of-way.”
Alrey Ebajay, then-LTO Region 10 transportation regulation officer, said that pedestrians must also observe traffic lights and other traffic rules when crossing streets, even if there is a pedestrian lane.
