By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

PUBLIC TRANSPORT. Several traditional jeepneys, taxis and buses ply Pasay Rotonda at the intersection of EDSA and Taft Avenue in Pasay City on Jan. 4, 2024. Ranking transportation officials have begun drafting guidelines to implement mandatory speed limiters in all public utility vehicles as part of the government’s push for safer roads. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)

MANILA – Ranking transportation officials have started drafting the guidelines to enforce mandatory speed limiters in public utility vehicles (PUVs).

In a statement Friday, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said Republic Act 10916, or the Road Speed Limiter Act was supposed to be fully implemented in 2016 after it lapsed into law.

“The full implementation of this law is long overdue. We have to do something now for the interest and protection of all road users,” Mendoza said.

He said a meeting was first held Wednesday among officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the LTO.

“We will continue holding a series of meetings in order to come up with the guideline, with the intention of installing the required speed limiters in the soonest possible time,” Mendoza said.

During the meeting, UV Express and bus operators were also convened for a dialogue on the mandatory implementation of speed limiters.

“These measures aim to promote safer travel for commuters and elevate the standards of public transportation safety across the country,” he said.

The Republic Act 10916 introduces the use of a speed limiter device which electronically controls the speed of a vehicle without affecting the vehicle components.

The law was enacted as part of the government intervention in road accidents. (PNA)