Pedestrian Crossings

Not all Filipinos follow traffic rules and regulations. This is a fact.

Take pedestrian crossings, as an example. Particularly, in EDSA Crossing (corner Shaw Blvd.), people lack discipline, as they try to wait for the perfect timing to cross the road even if the lights are still green. And of course, the poor motorists have no choice, but to let the mass pedestrian traverse the entirety of the asphalt highway.

How many accidents are needed to prove that traffic rules were made to help? That traffic regulations were made to maintain peace and order in our country? How many lives should be wasted for us to realize that waiting for the green light to turn to red will be a big difference in our everyday lives?

I am not in the position to identify the root cause of this phenomenon, as I have no formal study on the lack of self-discipline of our fellowmen. But we can just assume that there are possibilities. For one, family is one great influence. Our interaction with the outside world reflects who we are inside our homes. We might not be talking about crosswalks, but cleaning the table after use and turning off unused electrical equipment do count.

Peer factor matters. Tell me who your friends are (you know the rest)... Poor implementation of rules. Lack of education. Lack of support from the government. Culture issues. Etcetera.

By the end of the day, there will only be one, best solution: Cooperation and our Willingness to change for the better.