Those d*mn Pedicabs!

I heard from a reliable source that a German National, residing in Malrous, Calindagan, Dumaguete, died last week (Monday, I believe) in a motorcycle accident involving a pedicab. I have been reluctant to post this since the person's name has not been mentioned in the local news and since I have no proof of the incident itself. However, since I have had several near misses myself and my wife spent a few days in the hospital due to a similar accident, I thought it would be a good time to bring this subject to light again.

Apparently, he was overtaking a pedicab on the National Highway in Bacong when the pedicab turned left without signaling. I don't know all the details except that he died and his passenger was taken to hospital and later released. I do understand the need for pedicabs and I appreciate that, but there are way too many on the roads, many of the drivers have no clue how to drive, many of the pedicabs are deathtraps, and they just wreak havoc on driving in general. I also believe that pedicabs are not even allowed on National Highways but I am pretty sure that this driver will still be plying his route next week unless a private citizen (maybe his partner) steps forward and lays charges against him! If you got rid of all the pedicabs that don't meet even minimum Philippine safety standards (lights, signals, brakes, muffler, smoke test as well as getting rid of the remaining two-stroke bikes), you would cut the number in half, at least, and probably get rid of many of the worst drivers at the same time. However, they are a politically aggressive group so I doubt that this will ever happen.

Anyway, my sincere condolences to the Gentleman's family and friends.

 

And while at it, replace them with electrical carts, and Dumaguete will be a clean place.

 

Bacolod had the good sense to toss them out of the downtown area many years ago. It did wonders...far more pleasant. Dumaguete should do the same. And agree, electrics for the rest....after an intensive, and mandatory, driver training program. Yes, the pedicab drivers can make all the noise they want...but the pesos behind it wouldn't be enough to worry anyone.

 

A friend of mine happen to go by the unfortunate accident and saw the foreigner laying on the ground bleeding from the head and mouth. I post this as a heads up to what Wrye83 is stating. The Dgte to Dauin highway is full of danger.

 

The south highway between Robinsons and Bacong is often called Sesame Street by foreigners. But it's not so much the road, it's the idiots on it, particularly after dark, and more often than not trike drivers. The half-wit coming towards you with full glare fog lights on, blinding you to anything in front of you, and then you have to stand on your brakes to avoid the trike stopped with no lights on. Trikes that stop and start without warning, without looking and without even caring. Numbskulls who join the road from the right without stopping and without even looking. It's not confined to that road of course, the crass lunacy that masquerades as driving is all around, without regulations or enforcement. The idiocy is not limited to trikes, but they seem to be the main offenders, and the congestion and pollution they cause in town is just too stupid for words. The LTO posture in their own importance, but they are both impotent and incompetent, and Traffic Management who are incapable of managing traffic are a waste of oxygen.

 

I wonder if the pedicab driver is going to file a case against the asawa of man for damages to his tryke? I heard once a pinoy said to a expat its your fault this happened because if you did not come to dumaguete to live this would not have happened so you must pay.

 

Ahhh, so nice to hear something positive, R...!



Larry