SBMA Needs Traffic Management Plan

Comment from a reader on "Subic Bay - Stop Sign Hell":


I fully agree with the comments in respect of STOP signs.

But can we go back a page.

Who decides these rules and regulations.

Surely it can't just be left to the Traffic Police to decide these things unilaterally they must get instructions to place the signs and where they are to be placed from the highest authority who in turn must have discussed the topic and studied the grounds for implementation and then voted on it.

Or as it seems here a new shopping mall comes into operation and suddenly new Traffic Signs and STOP signs appear this is NOT a democratic process in that the mall dictates what it wants and the Traffic Police agrees that is wrong!! I am sure and hope that this is not correct. New signs should not be erected purely for the commercial gain and convenience of Locators.

So, who initially makes the original decision and they should at all times make the public aware, and plain, to ALL residents why they have decided to erect STOP signs where NONE are sensibly required or traffic lights, which are as in the case in question so very close to each other or to shut down traffic lights which still causes massive confusion when vehicles STOP at switched off traffic lights THIS causes accidents it does not prevent them. There is NO communication at all. When changes in the road system, the rules regulations, signages are changed, SBMA should notify all residents and an explanation given.

The splendid Subic Bulletin is the perfect vehicle for such communication.

Sleeping Policemen as road HUMPS are called in many cases are simply and mostly illogical, they cause damage to vehicles, damage to your body, your back in particular as many studies in developed societies have clearly demonstrated, and they are incredibly inconsistent some smooth and relatively flat some are like running over a 6" pipe on a slight incline where the road surface has been slightly raised.

They are totally inconsistent not two the same. In most countries now where they are used to slow traffic outside schools they are regular with an even slope and not with a sharp 'bump on top' as they do here they are well seen and there is no complaint.

Many are unseeable at night in SBMA because they are not clearly marked, unless you know where they are, and ALL of them are a serious hazard to emergency services, like the Ambulance, Fire and Police services.

KEEP IT EASY!!! Why make simple things so complicated and difficult.

My major gripe, at the moment, is at the 'old' Main Entrance there are two sets of Pedestrian Crossings and police in waiting should a driver not stop but the problem is that few if any pedestrians show any respect toward the drivers who have stopped, if anything they walk across the pedestrian crossing much slower than they normally walk. They should NOT run, but they should be brisk and prompt and not dawdle and so irresponsible as many are and do.

Those pedestrian crossings need traffic lights or Police Control, yes the police are there in numbers all waiting for the errant driver, which is frustrating because they are there NOT there to organise and to get the traffic moving efficiently and SAFELY they are only interested in fines and taking money BUT they don't manage the traffic as they should and that includes foot traffic.

And NONE of the official SBMA vehicles are ever stopped and they are the worst offenders of traffic violations why is this. If you don't believe this then how many SBMA vehicles have rear lights, not many, and the drivers generally have little respect for traffic codes at all or am I wrong. Finally why are there different codes of conduct after sun down than in the day time I have always wondered this.

So many Traffic Police Officers hide behind trees and then run out into the middle of the road to stop an errant driver I am greatly surprised that there are no fatalities this is negative and only serves to alienate residents, yes we know it but it is an embarrassment.

YES we all agree and accept motorised and foot Traffic needs to be controlled but it has to be planned and well managed for it to be respected, efficient and SAFE.

Subic Resident.


The Subic Bulletin:
We think you are saying that there is many problems in SBMA's traffic management, and we agree, a coordinated plan and consistency of policy seems to be missing. Maybe they are just depending on the vehicle volume leaving when the CUSA gets enforced...