By Atty. Egay Uy
AS a motorist, I also make it a habit to look at traffic signs, whether movable or fixed, along routes that I pass through, regularly or not. And based on experience, I always look at directional and instructional signs, especially at or near intersections.
I said based on experience because when I was a very young lawyer, I represented a client in a labor case in Iligan City. That was years ago of course. Being new to that city, I was not familiar with the road setup.
After the hearing at the Regional Arbitration Board, I boarded my self-driven vehicle to head back home. That was when I was flagged down by a policeman for having entered a one-way street. I explained. He listened and merely warned me. The policeman’s words that stuck to my mind were: “Tan-aw gyud sa traffic signs.”
Anyway, traffic signs could be tricky at times. There are those that are obstructed by commercial signs or tarps, or by vegetation. And there are those that are the subject of vandalism. And still, there are those that are supposed to be temporary but are left on site after their intended use.
There is a movable traffic sign at the entrance of Villarin street at PN Roa avenue in Carmen that prohibits entry into the road. A motorist who obeys traffic signs will be confused that despite the sign, motorists still wantonly enter the street. I understand that the sign is intended for flooding at Villarin. But it stands tall and visibly there even during dry days ready to be ignored.
Then there is a sign at the corner of Max Suniel street and the road towards Middleton Apartelle. I think it’s part of Lirio street. If you pass by that intersection going towards Villarin street, another No-Entry sign will greet and surprise you. Again, I surmise it is intended to prevent motor vehicles from entering Villarin only when it is flooded. But then again, who cares? Most motorists in this city think traffic signs are mere suggestions anyway.
Now, motor to Osmeña street. As you approach Florentino street that leads to the LKKS complex, there is a “No Right Turn on Red Signal” sign. Why? Is vehicular traffic entering Florentino from a T-intersection that heavy? That sign merely delays traffic flow along Osmeña and serves no logical purpose.
Then the sign at Florentino street corner Osmeña prohibits turning left despite the traffic lights there. Why prohibit left-turning vehicles in that area when it results in an unnecessary convergence of motor vehicles at the corner of Osmeña and the highway? And those that would have turned left have to queue at Osmeña in order to turn left at Agudo street then left again at Vicente Roa. What a waste of resources.
Since we’re at it, let’s motor to RN Pelaez boulevard. At the corner of RN Pelaez facing north and the highway, there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on a red signal. The speed of the highway is such that prohibiting turning right on red signal is a must there, similar to that of the opposite of the intersection.
That is my story on traffic signs. For now.
