In a recent forum between media and the business community, one businessman boldly dared the media: “If we drive around right now, we could see a vehicle parked beside a ‘No Parking’ sign!”
No one took on his dare for everyone knew he was right. We’ve all seen illegally-parked vehicles everywhere in Dumaguete and there’s no need to bet on it.
Sure, some will point to the “Discipline Zone” and say that the City has been effective, to a large extent, in controlling parking and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. It would have been good if the Discipline Zone was the rule, rather than the exception. Sadly, it is not.
If there is a “Discipline Zone”, it follows that everywhere else is an “Undisciplined Zone”. True enough, you see all kinds of violations in the Undisciplined Zone — people parking in No Parking zones, passengers flagging tricyles in No Loading and Unloading zones, stopping in No Stopping zones.
As a result, traffic flow is obstructed, and enterprising drivers try to find ways around these obstructions by driving on the sidewalk, driving on the wrong lane and what have you.
Illegal parking, as well as other traffic violations, have become an epidemic in Dumaguete, giving rise to the impression that no one cares or no one is in charge. One may argue that the roads are small and there are just too many vehicles in Dumaguete, although that could never be an excuse for uncouth driving behavior.
This is worrisome because, according to criminologists, disorder is an inevitable invitation to crime. Disorder is symbolic of the collapse of the system and something must be done to put order in our streets.
(For motorists who care about the traffic situation in Dumaguete, instead of adding to the problem, why not stay away from the roads, if you have no urgent business to attend to, from 7-8:30 a.m. and from 4:30 – 6 p.m.? )
Field more traffic personnel if we must, but the City must send a message to the public that it is serious in putting order in our streets, if not 24/7, then at least, 12/7.
