Solon files bill to create nationwide 'Traffic Center'

There could be a new agency in charge of implementing traffic rules and regulations if House Bill 3410 by party-list Representative Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1 RIDER) becomes law. It will be called the National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center or ‘Traffic Center,’ for short.

The Traffic Center falls directly under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and will outrank the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the local government unit (LGU) traffic enforcers. Its implementation coverage will be nationwide and the scope will include traffic policy, regulation, enforcement, and formulation and approval of the controversial No-Contact-Apprehension Policy (NCAP).

"Under such proposed structure, traffic offense would be considered universal in scope and application,” said Rep. Gutierrez.

One of the statutes of the bill affecting the NCAP gives motorists the right to due process and equal protection of laws. That is currently missing in the current form of the NCAP.

Other NCAP provisions include road markings and signages of a covered area would be clear and comprehensible; prompt notification of an alleged violation to the concerned motorist within 24 hours of the incident; easily accessible means to update a person’s contact and registration details; in case of contested apprehension, the adjudication would be handled by the Traffic Board Adjudication Board.

Should the bill pass, the Traffic Center will be tasked to issue a centralized list of traffic rules and offenses and train their traffic officers and personnel on proper traffic enforcement, management, and investigation of accidents.