A skater nearly collided with a vehicle on a Mandaluyong street after swerving into its path, dashcam footage showed.
Automotive publication VISOR posted the footage sent by Kenneth Mercado captured on the afternoon of August 27.
“It’s fun to be carefree,” the publication said in a Facebook post with a straight-face emoji.
The video shows a vehicle traversing a two-way street while a man is seen skating from a distance. The vehicle begins to catch up, but the skater appears oblivious to its presence, continuing to move closer to the vehicle’s right side.
By the 0:20-timestamp, the skater suddenly moves toward the left side of the vehicle, causing the driver to slow down.
The skater raises his arms and then eventually moves out of the vehicle’s way.
Defensive driving draws praise
The video has garnered 137,000 views, 1,100 likes and reactions, and nearly 80 comments, with Filipinos sharing their diverse thoughts.
Many praised the motorist for practicing defensive driving and keeping calm despite the skater’s risky maneuver.
“Kudos sa driver! Pinili niyang hayaan na lang matuwa ‘yung ibang tao at nag-ingat na lang. #LibreMagingMabait,” a Facebook user said.
“‘Yung iba, halos iyakin, pero itong driver na ‘to, chill lang. Salute [sayo sa] pagiging pasensyoso, mabuhay po [kayo], sir,” another user commented.
Others, however, were more critical of the situation and hoped that the driver used their horn to warn the skater of their presence.
“Malayo pa lang, businahan mo na. Anticipate na hindi ka napapansin. Don’t wait na magkamali [or maaksidente,” a Facebook user wrote.
Some criticized the skater for being reckless, noting that if an accident occurred, the driver could still be blamed.
“Sana nag-GTA [Grand Theft Auto] mode si Driver na lang, para madala [‘yung] kumag. Halatang nanadya lang eh,” another user commented.
“Tapos ‘pag nadale mo, ‘kaw pa may kasalanan,” said a different Pinoy.
Safety reminders
Drivers are expected to observe defensive driving habits at all times, which entails anticipating hazards and taking appropriate action to avoid potential accidents.
Pedestrians, however, are also expected to take caution and follow the rules of the road, which include walking defensively by not assuming that drivers can see them or will yield to them, especially on unmarked roads.
