BAGUIO CITY – The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance mandating the installation of audible traffic signals and push buttons with braille to assist persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens and pregnant women in the city.
Under the proposed ordinance, it shall be a declared policy of the city government to adopt certain measures to ensure the independence, recovery and personal growth of persons with disabilities.
Further, the city shall maintain the rights of pregnant women, senior citizens, and PWDs to live a normal life through adoption of policies that would ensure their health and safety.
The ordinance aims to further reduce traffic congestion and flow; protect the general public and driver’s safety and ensure the security of elderly, pregnant women and handicapped pedestrians.
The ordinance pointed out that audible traffic signal provides information on the status and general location of pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired.
Moreover, it shall provide details on the condition and vicinity of the pedestrian light signals. The control section guides a pedestrian by simultaneously producing echoes of back and forth call operation produced by the two speakers installed at the two ends during the permitted crossing times.
The ordinance mandates the installation of audible traffic signals with a push button with braille for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women in all pedestrian crossings with traffic signals that regulate vehicular traffic in the city.
The ordinance claimed that the traffic lights’ countdown time will begin when the push button will be pressed allowing enough time for people with impairments, the elderly and pregnant women to traverse the sidewalk in order to establish how much time must be given to the people with disabilities.
The City Traffic and Transportation Division urged seniors and expectant mothers to cross junctions safely. A time and motion study must be conducted by the said office or the relevant government office.
The ordinance stipulates that the push button shall solely be used by the elderly, pregnant women and PWDs.
Any person found guilty of tampering or mishandling the audible traffic signal in violation of the pertinent provisions of the proposed measure shall be meted with a fine of PhP5,000 and or imprisonment of no less than 30 days or both, such fine and imprisonment, upon the discretion of the court.
The ordinance explained that the audible traffic signals will assist blind or visually challenged pedestrians by offering information regarding the status and relative location of pedestrian light signals. Its control section directs a person crossing by currently generating sounds as in back and forth call operation from the two speakers placed at the two ends of the crosswalk during the time when crossing is allowed. By Dexter A. See
