THE TEN (10) COMMANDMENTS OF TRAFFIC

1. KEEP RIGHT. The driver of a motor vehicle shall always drive his motor vehicle to the right
EXCEPT when overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction and shall pass at a safe
distance to the left thereof, EXCEPT, that on a highway, within a business or residential district,
having 2 or more lanes for the movement of traffic in one direction, the driver of a vehicle may
overtake and pass another vehicle on the right. Sec. 39, RA 4136 as amended. On a highway having
two or more lanes for the movement of traffic in one direction the driver of a slow moving vehicle
shall drive to the right, while the driver of a fast moving motor vehicle to the left. In cases of an
incoming emergency motor vehicle, the non-emergency vehicle shall immediately drive to the right
to enable the former to overtake the latter.
2. OBSERVE ROAD COURTESY. One must yield to emergency vehicles, pedestrians, trains,
vehicles with right of way, vehicles ahead, large vehicles, uphill traffic, traffic within momentum,
straight traffic, and traffic signs.
By “emergency vehicle”, the LTO refers to:
a. Vehicles with physicians on emergency call
b. An ambulance on emergency call
c. Vehicle with wounded or sick person for emergency treatment.
d. AFP/PNP vehicles on official time in use of riot, insurrection, rebellion or invasion
e. Vehicles in pursuit of a criminal including a law enforcer overtaking of pursuing a traffic violence.
f. A police or fire department vehicle on call.
3. PROHIBITED PARKING
a. Vehicles should not be parked near or within intersection;
b. On crosswalk or pedestrian lane
c. Within 6 meters of the intersection of curb lines
d. Within 4 meters of the drive-way entrance of any fire station, hospitals, clinic and others
e. Within 4 meters of a fire hydrant
f. In front of a private driveway
g. Double parking or on the roadside of any vehicle stopped or parked
h. On the sidewalks, paths, alleys not intended for parking
i. At the foot of the bridge
j. At any place where official signs are posted PROHIBITED PARKING (wag magkulit) or to be
declared “NO PARKING” zone by MMDA-TOC, MMDA Ordinance No. 11 Dated 24 May 1991
4. IF IN DOUBT, DO NOT OVERTAKE. In general, the overtaking lane is the lane to the left of the
overtaken vehicle going in the same direction. The overtaken vehicle is the burden vehicle.
Before overtaking, consider these reminders
a. Signal the intention
b. See to it that the overtaking lane is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient
distance ahead so that overtaking can be made safely
c. And then maneuver at own risk to overtake and pass the other vehicle safely at a distance to the
side of the overtaken vehicle when a lane is clear.
Take note:
a. The vehicle being overtaken is the privilege vehicle. The driver keeps his lane, reduces of maintain
speed and allows the overtaking vehicle to pass
b. He shall not increase the speed until completely passes by the overtaking vehicle
c. In an undivided two-way lane roadway, the overtaking vehicle passes at a safe distance to the left
of the overtaken vehicle and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safety clear of
the overtaken vehicle.
d. In an expressway with a fast and slow lane or in any divided roadway, a driver may overtake on
either lane.
e. The vehicle being overtaken running at a regulations speed on his lane is the privilege vehicle. The
driver keeps his lane reduces or maintains speed, and allows overtaken vehicle to pass.
f. The overtaking vehicle is the burden vehicle. The driver signals his intention, maneuvers at his
own risk overtake, and passes the other vehicle safely when a lane is clear.
g. Overtaking is prohibited at crest of a grade, curve, railway, crossing, intersection and between
construction or caution.
5. THE BUS-STOP RULE
a. Buses queue up in a single file in their order of arrival
b. The lead bus moves forward to center of the column of buses lining-up on the bus stop zone, and
may remain until the zone is filled up with buses, but not linger than three (3) minutes
c. Any bus has the option to move out of the area anytime or bypasses a bus stop. There shall be no
doubling up at any point in the bus stop zone.
6. RULES TO PREVENT OR UNTANGLE TRAFFIC JAMS. Keep opposing lanes and intersection
open. In heavy, slow or stopped traffic, there shall be no overtaking. In a construction, the vehicles
should merge alternately.
7. OBSERVE THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES. Like the bus yellow lane, bus stop
segregation scheme, truck ban, counter flow-reversible lane, one way, car pool (at least three
passenger in EDSA), odd-even scheme and restraints on turning.
8. THE PHILOSOPHY OF A PINOY DRIVER. Motorists should observe equity of the lead vehicle,
doctrine of the last clear chance and the first-come-first-served or Rotunda Rule
9. ON PEDESTRIAN. Keep off road way except to cross on crosswalk. Wait, embark and alight at
bus or jeep stop.
10. REMEMBER THE INTERNATIONAL DRIVING SAFETY REMINDER. Safety first.