Crazy, that instead of writing my article that I have to submit by 1 am tomorrow, here I am doing my blog entry. Well, I guess, I’m about to go ranting again, and to think that I have already written about this before. PEDESTRIAN LANES. During the past few days, Jae and I have been having discussion about this matter. We were both wondering if the Philippines have a different definition for pedestrian lanes. Funny thing though is, we have similar definition of pedestrian lanes as to that of the universal high way code. Take a look at the definition provided by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and it says that:
PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS Motorists should be aware of pedestrian signal indications. They are used to control pedestrian traffic at intersections where there is conflict between vehicle and pedestrian movement. While these pedestrians are crossing the roadway, they have the right-of-way over all vehicles. A pedestrian facing the green walk signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal. A pedestrian facing a steady flashing “Don’t Walk” signal should not start to cross the roadway. If a pedestrian has entered the roadway on the “walk” signal and the “Don’t Walk” signal appears, he/she should proceed as quickly as possible to a safe area. While doing this, pedestrians still have the right of way over vehicles. Also a pedestrian should not cross the roadway when vehicular traffic has flashing green signal, unless he/she is facing a “Walk” signal.
Okay, going back, the reason why I have yet to make another article about this is because, it seems that our motorists and traffic enforcers alike are ignorant of this fact.
About two weeks ago, Jae almost got into a fight with a stupid motorist. My fault is that I wasn’t able to get the freaking plate number of the stupid van. We have to cross the street to get to the office. The good thing is that there is a pedestrian lane there and as such we always use the zebra lanes whenever crossing the street, as it is intended for pedestrians and for our own safety. Well when we were around two feet away from the building, which means we were almost at the end of the pedestrian lane, this stupid driver came careening, honking malevolently at us. Indeed blowing his horn as if there was an emergency. Jesus Christ! Knowing our rights, of course we didn’t budge, after all, vehicles SHOULD SLOW DOWN whenever they approach pedestrian lanes. Well, the stupid driver glared at us, and Jae glared back to him, not just that he pointed his forefinger on his temple, telling the driver to use his head or brains, if he had any, which I doubt because of the circumstances. Gee, I thought it would end there, the stupid driver still thought that we were the ones at fault, so what he did was he slowly pulled over while giving us the dirty finger hoping that we’d pick fight with him. Had I not been there, knowing Jaean, I know that he would indeed pick fight with him, hoping to instill some senses into the baboon driver who is three times bigger than him. I know it would be futile though, as the driver is definitely ignorant of what pedestrian lanes are for.
Now at this very moment while doing some research about pedestrian lanes I encounter a blog by some moron who calls pedestrians stupid. I don’t want to repost or even copy a part of his blog as there may be legal implications. I have to make some research first if it would be possible for me to cite his domain for this purpose.
Well, to those foreigners who are planning to visit the Philippines, make a mental note that most Filipino motorists are morons and they don’t know what pedestrian lanes are for. Maybe for them, it was just a design painted on the road so there would be change on scenery. Just a piece of pie though, be extra careful, most Filipino motorists are morons! It’s a fact!
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