By Gabriela Baron
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned motorists and riders to stay out of the EDSA Bus Carousel lane after a fatal hit-and-run incident on Wednesday, June 14.
A motorcycle rider was hit by a white sports utility vehicle (SUV) and ran over by a tanker while traversing along the EDSA Shaw Boulevard past 5:00 a.m.
According to MMDA, the rider and the SUV were both traversing the EDSA Bus Carousel lane when the incident happened, while the tanker was driving beside the bus lane.
“It is with profound sadness that this incident happened. We express our deepest condolences to the family of the rider. We pray for their comfort in this difficult time,” MMDA Acting Chairperson Don Artes said in a press briefing.
Artes stressed the EDSA Bus Carousel lane remains exclusive for passenger buses, ambulances, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
“We keep on reminding motorists not to use the innermost lane of EDSA as it may result in an accident, but despite our repeated calls and pleas, many drivers of privately-owned vehicles and motorcycle riders disregard the policy,” Artes added.
Artes noted there was an increase in accidents in the last quarter of 2022, coinciding with the imposition of the Temporary Restraining Order on the MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy.
In May alone, 32,739 traffic violations were recorded.
“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to greater risk,” the MMDA official added.
Artes said the MMDA will also forward the CCTV footage and other evidence that might help the Philippine National Police in the conduct of the investigation.
He also appealed to other motorists who witnessed the incident to cooperate with the authorities and bring justice to the victim.
The official also urged the still unidentified SUV driver to voluntary surrender to the police.
-ag
