GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city government is set to implement speed limits in major roads here as part of the initiative to curb deadly road accidents.
Lawyer Armand Clarin, city legal officer, said Monday the preparations are underway for the full enforcement of speed limits in city streets and national roads, based on the provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Section 455 of the law prescribes the maximum allowable speed for specific road classes and motor vehicles. It sets the maximum allowable speed for motor vehicles in national roads at 60 kilometers per hour (kph), 30 kph in city streets and 20 kph in school zones and crowded streets.
Clarin said City Mayor Ronnel Rivera signed Executive Order No. 5 on Jan. 17 to reinforce the law’s implementation in the entire city in response to clamor from various sectors, following the deadly road crashes in recent weeks that were mostly blamed on overspeeding vehicles.
Two weeks ago, four members of a family were killed after their tricycle was hit by a pick-up truck along the national highway here.
Along with the speed limits, Clarin said the mayor’s order mandates the observance of proper lane assignments for motor vehicles under the “homogeneity of speed” provision.
Clarin said the speed limit will be implemented in a progressive manner and will start with the series of information and education campaigns for motorists and the general public.
“It will focus on the areas covered by the speed limits and regulations that will be implemented,” he told reporters, adding the city’s traffic enforcers will also be trained to ensure proper implementation.
As part of the preparations, the local government put up large signage on Monday in various sections of the city, indicating the speed limits that will be enforced.
“Once our speed guns arrive, we will go with the full implementation,” he added.
