Screenshot of viral footage of Commonwealth road crash on Sunday, Aprill 13 (Facebook)

Reelectionist Senate Majority Leader Francis "Tol" Tolentino said the 60 kilometer-per-hour (kph) speed limit in major thoroughfares must be strictly enforced for the sake of public safety.

Tolentino made this call Monday, April 14, a day after the vehicular accident in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City that killed two passengers and injured 16 others.

It was during Tolentino's tenure as chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) when the 60 kph rule along Commonwealth Avenue was introduced in 2011. The MMDA has since expanded its coverage to include other major thoroughfares.

“Commonwealth has been called the ‘killer highway’ due to the high number of accidents and fatalities there. To address this, we imposed the 60 kph speed limit during my term as MMDA chairman,” said the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial bet.

Initial police reports and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage indicated that the passenger jeepney involved in the smash-up was moving at a high speed when it lost control and collided with two other vehicles.

“The 60 kph speed limit remains relevant today as it did when we first introduced it 14 years ago,” Tolentino reckoned. 

“Rules exist to ensure traffic order and public safety. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of drivers and motorists to observe discipline and road courtesy,” he underscored. 

As MMDA chairman and enator, Tolentino has pushed for innovative solutions to traffic problems. 

The senator’s smart traffic light signaling system was unveiled in Kalibo, Aklan over the weekend. Similar projects have been launched by Tolentino in Dumaguete (Negros Oriental), Naga (Camarines Sur), GMA (Cavite), San Pablo and Calamba (Laguna), and Roxas (Capiz).