Fundamentals of Traffic Management and Investigation with Driving

Introduction

The concept of the land transportation system in the Philippines started when our
ancestors invented the means of locomotion with the animals in moving people and goods from
place to place. Although, the means of land transportation during the early days were not as
sophisticated as the modern vehicles of today, and the roads were not as well constructed. In
modern society, quick mobility is one of the most basic needs. Therefore, people are able to use
different transportation facilities such as automotive vehicles, subways, and bicycles. However,
among all these transportation facilities, automotive vehicles are still the most adopted due to its
comfort and practicality. In cities, where the number of vehicles continuously increases faster
than the available traffic infrastructure to support them, congestion is a difficult issue to deal with
and it becomes even worse in case of car accidents. This problem affects many aspects of
modern society, including economic development, traffic accidents, time spent, and health
damages.

Road users gasping for an answer to their query from their daily experience of
unpleasant road travel as they journey from their point of origin to the point of their destination
and vice-versa. The question of why there is traffic congestion? Some would answer that
congestion is due to the lack of traffic law enforcer. Some would give kidding remark that the
cause of the congestion is attributed to the traffic law enforcer posted at the intersection. Some
would give even argue that congestion is due to the lack of discipline of those who use our
public road system. Thus, confusion would be set as an ordinary person who uses the public
road as a pedestrian, passenger, or passenger of a vehicle. Despite the intensive government
effort both by local and national officials, traffic problems are still getting worst. This is also
amplified by scrupulous public utility drivers who disregard traffic laws in a flagrant manner for
increased income and further intensified by corrupt traffic law enforcers who allow such
practices. Perhaps the answer is absolutely basic, that there is congestion because of the
improper road used.

The effort of the public agencies concerned with traffic control and management to
contain the problem is protracting which means finding some new avenues where to find and fit
the best way to break the lapses and resolve the alarming problem as to come up with the ideal
solution in the shortest possible time. Thru the determination of the root and origin of the
predicament, the government in coordination with the various sectors of the road users,
transport groups and non-governmental institutions whose concern in the safe and efficient
travel in our public road system may be able to conceptualize achievable remedies to address
the present problems concerned with traffic flow and expedite long term plans to cater to the
ever-growing development and the daily increasing number of road users to accommodate
notwithstanding the size, length of the road and the type of the road users.

It is a known fact that the traffic snarl in any road results in an adverse effect in our
industrial development and the socio-economic factors as to the waste of fuel consumed during
the halt of vehicle movement caused by congestion or at some instant road accidents.
Environmental problems, such as pollution is another by-product of increased road use since
motor vehicles are dominantly powered by engines requiring the use of fossil fuels.

Evidently, if someone on the wheel is not aware of the essence of motoring despite the
political will to strictly enforce and the implementation of traffic laws, rules, and regulations,
disregarding road courtesy and safety the result would be inadvertent loss of life, injury and
property damage.