The Shortcut

What would ease the traffic woes in the Philippines?  For starters following the rules. Being patient.  Not zigging and zagging and cutting around lines of stalled cars or turing down alleys which are crowded because everyone else is seeking a quick way out. 

One can understand private drivers doing these maneuvers but not taxis.  Isn't keeping the passengers safe a priority for taxi drivers?  You would think so.  

Here's a compilation of clips from driving in a taxi. He does not shun taking shortcuts.

9 classic Philippine Fails

Philippinefails Presents:

9 Classic Philippine Fails

1. Burning garbage

2. Using fire to cut the grass

3. Loud all night fiestas

4. Loud Church Bells at 5:30am

5. Karaoke. EVERYWHERE!

6. Traffic chaos

7. Litter everywhere

8. Disregard for safety

9. Mistreatment of dogs

Martial law and federalism won't fix this!

Jeepney Danger

Accidents don't "just happen."  That is safety 101.  Wearing protective equipment, making sure all safety precautions are taken, following the rules, these are the ways accidents are prevented before they happen.  But if you routinely buck the rules and ignore common sense then you are only one thread away from death or grave injury.

Road safety in the Philippines is non-existent.  No one follows the rules.  And no one enforces them either.  There are no police patrolling the streets looking for speeders, drunk drivers, cars without headlights, or anyone else driving unsafely.  In the Philippines when you get on the road you put your life in your own hands.  Be sure to buckle up.

Jeepnies are some of the worst offenders when it comes to ignoring safety practices.  They overload the jeepny and then they allow people to stand outside hanging on for miles and miles as if it's no big deal.  It is a big deal. It shows a complete disregard for the safety and life of the passengers.  It's an accident just waiting to happen.  

And it's 100% totally preventable.

A Tale of Two Motorcycles

Motorcycles that pass at the intersection and speak each other in passing,

Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;

So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,

Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.

               

                          - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It was the best of times to go out for a ride with the family,

it was the worst of times in that no one wore a helmet,

it was the age of wisdom in knowing you don’t need to wear a motorcycle helmet,

it was the age of foolishness in carrying your helmet on your arm instead,

it was the epoch of belief that you won’t crash and kill your family,

it was the epoch of incredulity that four people can safely fit on a motorcycle,

it was the season of Light so everyone can see how stupid both these families are,

it was the season of Darkness because everyone thinks this is normal and not dangerous,

it was the spring of hope that no crash would happen and God would protect them,

it was the winter of despair when they crashed and all their children’s heads split open like watermelons.

                                                                  - Charles Dickens