Picture of the Week: This Gate is Closed

 This gate is closed for vehicles. 

But...is it?

Obviously not! There is no guard here. Cars and people can go as they please. No one cares about that sign. 

10-Wheel Truck Runs Over Three Year Old Girl

Here is another article about the results of the bad driving habits in the Philippines. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/19/three-year-old-girl-dies-parents-injured-in-bacolod-accident

A three-year-old girl was killed while her parents were injured after their motorcycle was hit by a 10-wheel truck on the circumferential road in Barangay Villamonte here on Tuesday, April 18.

Injured were Jude Jett Areglo, 40, of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, and Sheila Mae Niem, 23, according to the police.

Based on initial investigation, a truck driven by Jemmy Panes of Victorias City was tailing the motorcycle driven by Areglo.

The motorcycle was able to cross the road before the red light, but Panes allegedly beat the red light, leading him to hit the motorcycle.

Areglo lost control over the motorcycle and they all fell to the ground.

The truck then ran over the child that resulted in her immediate death.

Police are preparing the filing of charges against the truck driver, who is detained at Police Station 4.

Having observed how traffic operates in the Philippines two things can be assumed here, one of them for sure based on the article. First of all it is doubtful anyone on the motorcycle was wearing a helmet. I have seen so many families piled dangerously onto motorcycles with no one wearing a helmet. It is dangerous and simply not worth the risk. The motorcycle is not a family vehicle.

Yes it is illegal in the Philippines to ride with children on your motorcycle if their feet cannot reach the pedals. 

Section 4. Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a two (2)-wheeled motorcycle with a child on board on public roads where there is heavy volume of vehicles, there is a high density of fast moving vehicles or where a speed limit of more than 60/kph is imposed, unless:

(a) The child passenger can comfortably reach his/her feet on the standard foot peg of the motorcycle;

(b) The child’s arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider; and

(c) The child is wearing a standard protective helmet referred to under Republic Act No. 10054, otherwise known the "Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009."

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2015/ra_10666_2015.html

Can a three year old's feet reach the foot pegs os a motorcycle or grasp around the waist of the driver?  NO!!  She should not have been on the motorcycle and her parents are not free from blame for her death. But will they be prosecuted? Doubt it!

Second of all the article tells us that the truck "beat the red light" which led to him hitting the motorcycle. That means he sped up at the yellow instead of hitting his brakes. I have seen that happen so many times it is ridiculous. Trucks will keep plowing through the light AFTER it has turned red. It's a wonder that these accidents don't happen every day. 

But they do happen. And it's high past time police patrol the roads and enforce the traffic laws. From R.A. 6975 which set up the PNP and lays out their duties we read:

Sec. 35 (B) (8) Traffic Management Unit. – Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Traffic Management Unit shall enforce traffic laws and regulations.

https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1990/ra_6975_1990.html

So, why aren't the cops patrolling the roads and enforcing the laws?

Wheel Theft Prevention

There is simply no trust in the Philippines. Everyone is viewed as a potential thief. That's why every house has a fence and a dog or dogs. That's why when you order a pizza with a credit card they have to bring a machine to you instead of taking the number over the phone. And I am pretty sure that lack of trust explains the following two pictures.

Why else would anyone place pieces of wood against their car's wheels except to prevent theft? Not everyone does it but the fact that at least these two people have indicate either there is a problem or they think a problem might arise. If one wants to live in the Philippines they have to think like a thief in order to prevent themselves from being a victim.

Sugarcane Truck and Car Accident

Traffic was backed up and moving slow and I couldn't take it any longer. My destination was just up ahead past the next light. At this speed I figured I walking would be faster so I said, "I'm going. Just meet me up there." Because there are no sidewalks I was forced to march on the edge of the road squeezed between traffic and businesses. Motorcycles attempted to sneak on by. One false move and I could have been squashed.

Finally I reached the light and the cause of all the traffic problems was revealed.

An empty sugarcane truck and a car had gotten into an accident. No one was hurt and the drivers and occupants of both vehicles were standing off to the side as the PNP took pictures and noted the scene.

From the looks of it the truck got a little too close to the car and its wheel smashed the side mirror and took off the front bumper. Or maybe the car got a little close, sheared its bumper, and then the truck smashed the mirror. It's hard for me to tell and I didn't ask at the scene. Someone dun goofed that's for sure.

It's strange that an empty sugarcane truck was involved in this accident. I am always on edge waiting to see an accident with a full truck which has spilled all its overflowing contents onto some hapless driver crushing him in an instant. 

Maybe one day.

Broom-Broom Cars

Can you think of a better name for a car dealership than Broom-Broom Cars?

Everyone wants a car with a strong engine that roars out Broom-Broom! Would you buy a car from a dealer named Putt-Putt Cars or Clunk-Clunk Cars. I don't think so.

This onomatopoeia car dealership gives me a a few ideas for similarly named businesses like Chop-Chop Butcher Shop, Glug-Glug water refill station, and Chomp-Chomp Burger Joint.

What this sign really reminds me of more than anything else is Speed Buggy.

With his catchphrase, "Vroom-a-zoom-zoom!" I think Speed Buggy would approve of this dealership's name.