{"id":3257,"date":"2016-09-23T16:20:11","date_gmt":"2016-09-23T08:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/?p=3257"},"modified":"2021-07-06T19:46:43","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T11:46:43","slug":"expats-guide-to-mmdas-10-things-that-drivers-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2016\/09\/23\/expats-guide-to-mmdas-10-things-that-drivers-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"MMDA\u2019s 10 Things That Drivers Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture this: you\u2019re on your way home from a busy work day plying EDSA or any of the major arteries in Metro Manila. All of the sudden, you see a traffic enforcer flagging you down. What do you do?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"logo\"<\/p>\n

THEY HAVE THEIR RULES, TOO. Make sure you remember these things if you\u2019re ever flagged down by an MMDA traffic enforcer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Most people are clueless about what to do when this happens. Good thing the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has come out with 10 things that drivers should know:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"mmda-enforcers\"<\/em><\/p>\n

IF THEY FLAG YOU DOWN, MAKE SURE TO KEEP THESE IN MIND.
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  1. MMDA enforcers are not allowed to group together while apprehending a motorist.<\/strong> They are even not allowed to stand together in groups of two or more, except during special operations (i.e. apprehending groups of smoke-belching\/colorum buses).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Swerving is NOT a violation\u2026 per se. <\/strong>Swerving is defined as a movement wherein a vehicle shifts from one lane to another. This means you do it every time you\u2019re on the road, unless you\u2019re one of those people who stick to one lane. It\u2019s never a reason for them to pull you over unless it\u2019s done recklessly (abrupt lane change, not using your signal lights, or swerving across solid lines) or if there are signs that prohibit swerving in that area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. Never surrender your driver\u2019s license to the traffic enforcer <\/strong>unless you were involved in a traffic accident, have three or more unsettled violations, or were apprehended for an administrative violation*. If they do confiscate your license, the traffic enforcer should tell you why they did and how long your ticket will serve as your \u201clicense\u201d. Should you refuse to surrender your license, they can (and will) take your license plate based on Sections 74 & 75 of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 89-105.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. Private vehicles are NOT ALLOWED to use the yellow lane <\/strong>except when they are about to make a turn that REQUIRES you to use the yellow lane. The yellow lane is for the exclusive use of City Buses. Traffic enforcers can\u2019t selectively apprehend private vehicles that use the yellow lane.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          If you want to use the yellow lane, you should start shifting lanes once you see broken white lines painted diagonally on the road. These lines mean you\u2019re 50 meters from an intersection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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          1. When in doubt, ask for their mission order. <\/strong>Each traffic enforcer has his\/her own written mission order issued by MMDA Central Admin ON THEIR PERSON, and you\u2019re free to ask the enforcer to show you their mission order. It includes their area of responsibility, time of duty, and their official function. It also says whether they can issue a ticket or not. If they don\u2019t have one, they can\u2019t apprehend you, much less issue a ticket.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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            1. Traffic enforcers should issue a ticket in complete uniform with visible nameplates. <\/strong>If the person flagging you down isn\u2019t wearing one, is not in complete uniform, then they\u2019re out to make a quick buck. They\u2019re also instructed to accomplish the ticket, known as a Traffic Violation Receipt or TVR, without any delays or arguments to prevent traffic congestion.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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              1. Traffic enforcers are allowed to issue a TVR for their towing fee. <\/strong>If you fail to pay the fine after your vehicle is impounded, you\u2019ll be given another TVR telling you how many days your vehicle has spent at the impound area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                1. Before apprehending, the traffic enforcer should flag you down and lead you to the roadside <\/strong>where you will not obstruct the flow of traffic. They should also be courteous in informing you of your violation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                  1. Don\u2019t get out of the vehicle. <\/strong>They\u2019re not allowed to ask you to get out of the car. They\u2019re also not allowed to ask for or accept bribes, so don\u2019t even try.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                    1. The following can be taken as a valid driver\u2019s license during apprehensions: <\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n