A while back, I read somewhere that Dumaguete has the highest percentage of motorists in the entire Philippines; using the term “motorist” to refer to people who drive a motorcycle. I suppose we don’t need to be scientific (referring to the latest LTO census) to know that. Even just being at Robinsons, we get to witness the motorcycle parking lot in its majestic organized display of motorcycles of various brands and styles.
As much as I like motorcycles for aesthetic purposes, unfortunately, I am also aware that they are the most dangerous mode of transportation, for obvious reasons.
Of course, I understand the practicality of it. They are not too expensive to buy or maintain, they are easy to park, and they are the easiest vehicles to navigate in heavy traffic when you are in a hurry going from point A to point B.
A lot of motorists claim that riding a motorcycle has that feeling of flying on air. I suppose I can understand the analogy in terms of that speed where the wind creates an emotional highly- charged feeling of freedom and independence.
But the reality is that, the motorbike is still considered the most high-risk vehicle to drive, no matter how careful you are. And in the world of driving, it is often the other driver that causes the accident, not you.
I know the on-going debate about whether to impose a helmet law on motorists is heated from everyone’s point of view. I hope you can indulge me expressing my two-cents on this matter, even though it’s been debated in the public forum in the past, I’m sure my opinion is a moot point, but still I feel the need to express it.
For political purposes, I’m also sure that our lawmakers have the ability to weigh-in on the most appropriate law to impose for the safety of the general public.
Of course, I am an advocate for wearing helmets, for the simple reason that they save lives. To the argument that poor people can’t afford a helmet, my question is, how on earth are they able to afford a motorbike in the first place?
A helmet is an essential safety feature when you ride a motorbike. When you buy a car, it comes with a safety belt, not for decoration, but for safety purposes, simple as that.
My other point on this matter (again, just indulge me for one last time about the helmet topic even though it’s not a popular opinion to some), is to remind the public that rich or poor, all motorist’s lives are just equally precious.
If the argument is about trying to defend the poor motorist as not being able to afford a helmet, then the implication is that somehow, poor people’s lives have lesser value than the rest of us because somehow, it is okay for them to ride in a high-risk way, while the rest of the motorists (since they can afford helmets) have a lower risk of being killed. It’s not exactly the kind of public safety policy that we want to embrace with our fellow Dumaguetenians, right?
Anyway, that’s enough with the helmet issue. My biggest concern about motorists are those who actually turn off their headlights at night while they are on the road.
May I ask what exactly is the purpose of turning off the headlights? Is that supposed to help save batteries or gasoline or something?
I asked some experts and they claimed that turning off headlights during night driving has no purpose at all, other than it poses a high degree of danger to everyone on the road.
So let me ask again, what is the purpose of driving dangerously? Is that something that gives the motorist some sort of a high or to prove something?
Because frankly, it’s not only dangerous to the motorist turning his headlights off, but more dangerous to the rest of us who are careful drivers going head to head with a vehicle with no headlights on the road, and dangerous to pedestrians as well.
The other gripes that I have with motorists is their decision of taking off the side mirrors. What is the point of taking off side mirrors?
Mirrors on vehicles, including motorbikes, are not there for aesthetic purposes. Again, they are for safety purposes, for you to see anyone behind you. It saves you turning your head around so you don’t miss anything that’s going on infront of you.
I’ve heard some claims that motorbike mirrors don’t look nice (they look like horns) and that’s why some people take them off. Again, mirrors on vehicles are essential, and should not be reduced to your own personal issue about looking cool. (And if you think that the appearance of mirrors on your vehicle determines your cool look, then I suggest you see a psychiatrist for your insecurity).
And lastly, I have a huge issue with motorists who drive and text at the same time. You cannot multi-task when you are driving. No one can, and no one should even try.
Driving is one activity that requires total focus and concentration simply because there are so many unexpected things that can happen on the road beyond our control. It’s not worth taking that risk.
So, my dear readers, I’ve been haunted by these motorists who probably don’t know driving laws and road ordinances, yet, they get away by driving without any regard for everyone’s well being.
If these motorists don’t know how to abide by driving laws, then they really have no business driving on the road in the first place. Perhaps it’s time for the LTO to take some drastic measure in cracking down on these road violators to avoid potential fatalities that can easily happen to any of us. For goodness sake, drive safely, and be thoughtful to others.