Road Safety Guidelines to be Observed by Public Utility Vehicles (PUV), with Priority to Active Transport (AT) and Light Mobility Vehicles (LMV)/Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) Users

June 22, 2021

LTFRB MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2021-042

 

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 125-A mandates the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to establish and prescribe the corresponding rules and regulations for the enforcement of laws governing land transportation including the penalties for violations thereof, and for the deputation of appropriate law enforcement agencies in pursuance thereof;

WHEREAS, one of the powers and functions of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board under Executive Order No. 202 is to promulgate, administer, implement, and enforce rules and regulations on land transportation public utilities . . .;

WHEREAS, on 25 August 2020, the DOTr issued Department Order No. 2020-14 prescribing the Guidelines and Protocols for Active Transportation and Light Mobility Vehicles;

WHEREAS, in order to promote active transportation (AT) through walking, cycling, non-motorized transport (NMT), and light mobility vehicles (LMV)/personal mobility devices (PMDs), the Board deems it necessary to issue these guidelines for the information and guidance of all Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) operating on public roads and highways for the safe mobility of all road users;

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing, in order to effectively implement DOTr Department Order No. 2020-014, all PUVs are MANDATED to strictly observe the following guidelines:

1. AT and LMV/PMD users shall have priority on the road.

 At all times, PUV drivers must give priority to AT and LMV/PMD users and observe proper traffic rules and regulations. Drivers should signal their intention to turn as early as possible, giving priority passage to AT and LMV/PMD users.

2. PUVs shall not be allowed to cross, stop, load, unload or park along dedicated bike lanes (Class 1 and Class 2) and pedestrian lanes.

Bike lanes and pedestrian lanes are dedicated pathways for AT and LMV/PMD users.

3. When passing AT and LMV/PMD users, slow down and give sufficient clearance.

PUVs are directed to give AT and LMV/PMD users the same clearance when passing given to any other vehicle, i.e., one car's width or two (2) meters, as a safe standard and one (1) meter width as a minimum. When overtaking, pass slowly and smoothly, and avoid using the vehicle's horn as much as possible.

4. Open doors with care.

PUV drivers must scan their side mirrors to make sure there are no AT or LMV/PMD users approaching from behind. It is recommended to use the hand furthest away from the door to open it ("Dutch reach"); this forces the upper body to turn to face the door and to check for any bicycles approaching from behind.

5. Check blind spots.

PUV drivers must be aware of all road users that could be approaching from any direction.

6. Intersections with Bike Box.

In intersections with a "bike box," PUVs should not encroach in the space allotted for the bike box. The bike box is a dedicated space for cyclists to wait at an intersection in front of vehicles.

Failure to observe any of the above Road Safety Guidelines shall be deemed to be a violation of the Terms and Conditions of CPC, which may warrant the imposition of penalties under Memorandum Circular No. 2011-004 or Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, as the case may be.

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation. Let three (3) copies hereof be filed with the UP Law Center-Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR).

SO ORDERED.

Effectivity Date: July 9, 2021.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED THROUGH TELECONFERENCE on June 22, 2021, Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) ATTY. MARTIN B. DELGRA IIIChairman

(SGD.) P/COL. JOEL C. PERNITO (Ret.)Board Member

Attested by:

(SGD.) JOEL J. BOLANOChief, TD and OIC, Office of the Executive Director

Published in The Daily Tribune on June 24, 2021.