The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is thinking of replacing the concrete barriers it has put up along the length of the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). These are the yellow-colored barriers used to separate the bus lanes from the rest of the lanes on the said thoroughfare.
The concrete barriers along EDSA
Why? Well, for starters, the MMDA has recorded around 430 accidents related to the said concrete barriers since 2020. There’s also that recent accident last Friday (February 18, 2022), where a car carrying three Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel crashed into some concrete barriers near the P. Tuazon tunnel. The driver survived, but its two passengers passed away.
So what are they replacing the concrete barriers with? Currently, the MMDA is considering bollards. For now though, the agency will be conducting more studies to find out if this is feasible. They are also considering the addition of more safety signs along EDSA.
But how about orange plastic barriers? Well, MMDA Officer-in-Charge, General Manager Romando Artes said that these are easily bypassed since they are lightweight and can be moved by unscrupulous motorists looking to illegally enter the bus lanes. And yes, there were some instances that this happened before.
Being hollow, these plastic barriers can also be displaced by floods, which we all know is all too common in Metro Manila.
According to the MMDA, plastic barriers like these won't work for EDSA
Do note though that the MMDA says that while EDSA is already well lit, almost 90 percent of the accidents that are connected to the concrete barriers mostly involve distracted, sleepy, or drunk drivers.
Either way, whatever will replace the concrete barriers must be able to stay in place and segregate the bus lanes. At the same time, they should be designed to provide more safety for motorists, and thus avoid incidents like the one with the PAF personnel.
Then again, as drivers, we should know better not to drink and drive. It's only common sense, you know.
For more car related news, keep it here on Philkotse.