Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said it is about time to rationalize the use of e-vehicles (electric vehicles) in the country in light of an increase in road accidents.
On Feb. 28, the Metro Manila Council (MMC), to which Biazon belongs, passed a resolution banning e-trikes (electric tricycles) and e-bikes (electric bikes) on national roads in Metro Manila. A P2,500 fine will be imposed on violators.
An e-trike passing through the South Luzon Expresway (Screenshot from Visor video on Facebook)
An e-trike (Photo courtesy of Lea Ramilo)
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)
E-trike and e-bike drivers will also be required to obtain a driver's license.
In addition, each local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila will determine the roads in its jurisdiction that will be added to the ban.
“It is about time we rationalize the use of these vehicles which are increasingly getting involved in accidents, cause traffic and endanger their users,” said Biazon.
Biazon, a former congressman, added that “many of those who operate these e-vehicles lack the basic knowledge in road use and driving skills.”
“It has even been observed that some are driven by minors who would not even qualify for a student driver's permit,” he noted.
He explained that “driving motor vehicles on roads is only a privilege, that's before anyone is allowed to drive a motor vehicle, a license is required after undergoing training and a test.”
“Since drivers of these e-vehicle are using the same road, they should also comply with requirements imposed on motor vehicle drivers,” he said.
Biazon said he will suggest to the Department of Transportation to lobby with Congress to update the 60-year-old law Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, “to take into account these latest kinds of transportation and impose regulations as those covering motor vehicles.”