Baguio: The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) announced plans to intensify enforcement of speed limits for motorists using newly acquired speed meter guns. Col. Ruel Tagel, the city police director, confirmed the procurement of five speed meter guns for better enforcement of the ordinance, emphasizing the commitment to strictly implement speed limits on all roads in Baguio.
According to Philippines News Agency, Maj. Marcy Grace Marron, BCPO information officer, reported the apprehension of 17 vehicles for speeding between June 14 and 16, thanks to the speed meter guns. The penalty for a first offense is set at PHP500. The latest update from the city government's technical working group indicates that motorcycles and similar motor vehicles are restricted to 30 kilometers per hour (kph) on major roads and national highways, while trucks and buses are limited to 20kph.
The speed limit on community roads and crowded streets, including those near schools and built-up zones, is capped at 20kph for all vehicles. On secondary roads such as Asin Road, Baguio General Hospital flyover, and others, cars, motorcycles, and similar vehicles have a limit of 30kph, while trucks and buses must stay below 20kph. The maximum speed on the western and eastern circumferential roads and Balatoc Road is set at 40kph for cars, motorcycles, and similar vehicles, with buses and trucks limited to 30kph.
The ordinance, passed several years ago, has been reactivated in response to numerous vehicular accidents, some fatal. Mayor Benjamin Magalong highlighted the importance of the measure due to Baguio's steep and slippery roads when wet. He noted that while most traffic accidents result from human error, controlling speed is crucial in preventing such incidents.
The revision of speed limits from the previous 30kph on inner roads and 20kph in the central business district was reviewed based on necessity. "We have to be discerning regarding our speed limits. We need to amend our ordinance as there are speed limits that are not advisable," Magalong stated.
