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Driving Around Metro Manila; Traffic Violations

Driving around Metro Manila is both risky and expensive. No wonder why a lot of people I know don’t venture much into the inner parts of the Metro. One place they don’t like to drive around is Makati City. Aside from the heavy traffic, policemen are everywhere, ready to apprehend traffic violators. In Metro Manila, the jeepneys and buses ruled the roads.

Driving Around Metro Manila Is Risky

Have you been to the pier area? Or perhaps you don’t know where it is. The first time I passed by there on a Getz vehicle driven by an officemate, I felt like so small in between the 10-wheeler trucks and vans, bumper to bumper and side by side along huge vehicles, whose drivers would exploit their size. Even by driving a bigger AUV, I still feel uncomfortable passing by that area.


Or let’s consider SLEX for example. Minimum speed is 60kph and max of 80kph. But even if my speedometer was already pushing 120, there is always another vehicle overtaking me. Sometimes it’s a big passenger bus. How many times have we heard of 5-vehicles smash-ups? I don’t know if someone is monitoring the speed of vehicles passing by SLEX. Or even EDSA. The first time I drove along EDSA, I kept a steady speed of 60-80kph. But a lot of vehicles were overtaking me. I didn’t like it. Later, as I related my first adventure to my boss, he told me I was too slow. What? 80kph is too slow? I seldom reach that speed when I was in Cebu.

Driving Around Metro Manila Is Expensive

I’ll just enumerate here three reasons:
1. Traffic – slow traffic means more gas usage.
2. Few U-Turn Slots – If you miss the nearest one, it will be another kilometer run for your vehicle. Sucat Road has plenty of U-turn slots. And I wish it were like that in Manila or in Makati.
3. Traffic police – A friend told me that he always place a P500 bill in his license packet. Why? Because you wouldn’t know what you’d be apprehended for. One couldn’t afford the one day seminar and the hefty fine.

Traffic Violations To Watch Out For

Having been here for only 5 months, I’ve already been apprehended twice. I reasoned out that I was new here and that I didn’t know that swerving is illegal and that I was in the wrong lane. Apologies and excuses were not accepted. Only Ninoy will do.

Here are some traffic violations to watch out for:
1. Not wearing seatbelt – Some traffic will really approach your vehicle and check the driver and the front passenger. In Cebu, this is rarely implemented.

2. No entry/One way – There are too many one-way streets in Makati and Manila. When you enter a small street, check out any sign.

3. Plate Number Coding – Most cities in Metro Manila imposed coding of vehicles. Mine is scheduled on Fridays. But since coding is not implemented in Parañaque, I can drive my vehicle to work. I also have this Ninoy commemorative special plate which they say is exempted from coding. Though I doubt the exemption, I was able to drive on a Friday traversing Coastal road to the Pier Area. There is a 10am to 3pm window though.

4. No swerving – I’ve violated this twice. The first was along Buendia-Taft when I was trying to get to the left lane (from the rightmost lane) for the nearest u-turn slot. I muscled my way through the jeepneys and the big buses, only to be met by a man in blue uniform.

A few hours ago, I was also apprehended with the same violation in Edsa, when I tried to make a right turn to Ortigas. Funny I missed that exit twice before. I promised not to make the same mistake the third time. But the signs are too small to read from afar, and I almost missed it, so I immediately signaled that I go right. Then a man in blue waved at me. I’d like to argue because I think I was far enough to inconvenient any vehicle from my right side. Besides, it was already 10pm. But nah, arguing would only ruin my night.

5. Wrong lanes – When you are in Edsa and on a private vehicle, avoid the yellow lanes on the right. They are for public vehicles only.

All the while, I thought exploring Metro Manila is fun. But it is not, really! Now, I have to study the map in advance so that I’d be able to reach the Iblog5 venue for next month’s meet. That would be my first ever blogging event. See you!

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Tags: Manila, Travel   Posted in Manila, Travel