MOTORCYCLES have long been hailed for their affordability, efficiency, and agility on Philippine roads. In Iloilo City, they are now also leading the tally of traffic violators — a worrying distinction that reflects systemic issues in road discipline and urban transport management.
From January to May 5, 2025, the city’s Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) issued a staggering 2,363 citation tickets to motorcycle riders — accounting for nearly one-third of the 8,381 total traffic violations recorded in just five months. This figure places motorcycles ahead of private vehicles (2,136 citations), tricycles (1,403), jeepneys (928), buses (652), taxis (457), and trucks (238).
What explains this disproportionate trend?
According to TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos, the very agility that makes motorcycles popular also leads to reckless behavior: counterflowing, ignoring traffic signals, helmet non-compliance, and weaving through traffic with little regard for rules. Clearly, the issue is not only one of enforcement but of mindset.
However, citations alone will not fix this problem. A sustainable solution requires a multi-pronged approach, beginning with education. The city must invest in sustained road safety awareness campaigns specifically targeted at motorcycle users, many of whom may not have undergone formal driving instruction. The TTMO’s planned partnership with barangays and rider organizations is a step in the right direction, but it must be consistent, visible, and rooted in behavioral change.
Iloilo City must also consider structural support such as designated motorcycle lanes, clearer road signage, and protected intersections. These are essential to reducing conflict between motorcycles and larger vehicles, especially in high-traffic zones.
And yes, enforcement should be coupled with incentives for good behavior, such as safety certifications, insurance discounts, or fuel vouchers for riders who complete defensive driving programs.
The rise in motorcycle violations is not an isolated concern — it is a red flag for broader road safety challenges. And Iloilo City braces for more congestion and the expected surge of two-wheelers in the coming years, the time to act is now.
A crackdown without compassion, context, and community engagement will only breed resentment. But when enforcement is matched with education and infrastructure, it becomes a true public service — one that saves lives, not just issues tickets.
