Philippine Driving Laws

There are several contexts that the term right-of-way is used, such as in land or transport. But of course for our purposes, today we will look at right-of-way in traffic or when driving. Right-of-Way in traffic is: Having the right to use a specific traffic path, instead of another driver. Yield to/ let pass those in the right of way. This right-of-way policy is important especially in times when there are accidents, and it is being figured out which party is the right or wrong. Who is liable for the accident. etc. So be very careful. Besides doing your usual careful-angel driving (Im assuming) know what is right-of-way or not. You will need this information someday, maybe for yourself or for loved ones. Who has the right of way? In intersections: those already inside the intersection - In intersections: if 2 of you approach the intersection, the 1 at the right has the right of way In rotondas: those already going Pedestrians crossing - Ambulance, police cars, fire department vehicles To-dos to Respect Right of Way Rules : AT ALL INTERSECTIONS without stop or yield signs, slow down and prepare to stop. If vehicles are already in the middle or preparing to enter it, yield/ let them pass. Yield to the vehicle on your right if it has reached the intersection of same time as your vehicle. At Stop signs: Stop at any limit line or crosswalk. Yield to all approaching vehicles on the through street, go only when it is safe for you to cross. Approaching vehicles should slow down and allow you to get across safely. At Left Turns: Signal left turn and yield to approaching traffic until it is completely safe to finish the turn. around at the rotonda crosswalk

 At Rotondas: When entering a highway, yield the right-of-way to cars on the highway. Never insist on taking the right-of-way if there are pasaway drivers, let them have the right-of-way even if it belongs to you to prevent possible accidents. Give the Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles sounding a siren or bell or flashing a red light by pulling to the edge of the roadway and stopping . In the event traffic is so congested as to prevent you from safely doing so, slow down and leave a clear path for the emergency vehicles. Posted in Driving Laws Philippines | Leave a Comment

Proper Use of Headlights

September 8, 2009

Headlights are safety gear, unless it's Christine's headlights glowering at you...

For those who are still not sure what its called, headlights are your cars flashlights that you use to see and drive in the dark. The lever to turn it on or off is usually at the side of the steering wheel. Besides helping you drive around in the dark, it is also used by drivers to communicate to one another. To use headlights properly: Use the dimmer setting. There are usually 2 settings, the dim and the bright. Please do not use your bright setting everywhere. The bright light can easily blind other drivers approaching you, and can risk an accident. What worse way to indirectly get into an accident than be in front of an accident of a driver in your face? Tsk. You are risking yourself, dude, so keep those lights dim. If the light of the approaching vehicle is bright, dim your light to signal to the approaching driver, Asshole Dude, please keep your lighthouse halogen peepers to yourself before I run you down since youre blinding me well enough.

 If you have defective headlights, please dont leave the house at night until its fixed. If you dont care about your life, then be considerate of other people, property, or animals you might not see in the dark, as well as other people who might not see you as well as you stealthily creep about in the dark. During car trouble emergencies, pull over at the side of the road, place early warning devices in front and at the back of the vehicle, and leave the lights on low beam. Please dont look at approaching vehicles bright lights. S illy you. Highly risky, as well. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

WTH is Yield in Traffic Signs?

August 9, 2009

Traffic sign Yield

Yeah, Ive often wondered what yield means when I see signs that say so. Commonly, yield means to give in. So when you see the traffic sign Yield, it means slow down and let cars do their thing. Most likely it was put there because it is a high-risk area for driving. If you like jargon, you may like this more detailed explanation A driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching another highway as to constitute a hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection. Yeah, stick to my first explanation. Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Goals When Driving

July 26, 2009

Well, its pretty simple but people tend to forget, thus for some resulting to some weird ego trips, tragedies and the like. I guess a lot of people will agree with me that the most important goal of driving is: GETTING THERE in one piece without incident. - Without causing damage to people or stuff. Okay, challenge me if you dont agree. Vroom-vroom Drivin Chick kisses,

Posted in Drive You Up the Wall | Leave a Comment

Are Signal Lights Useless in the Philippines?

July 7, 2009

So I thought signal lights that inform drivers at your back whether youre going left are right are supposed to be there for safety. But how come when I signal my intent of going to the left or the right, 99.8% of the time, my bestfriend driver behind me ALWAYS GOES FASTER? Swear, almost perfect incidence. Almost all do that, except for 1 or two. *ROLL EYES* It does have its uses, though. Want a car to zoom ahead of you for whatever reason? Signify with your light you want to go left or right. But if youre looking for your good deed for the day, or just want to be safe, if you see the car in front of you flashes that left or right thingy, do allow that dude to do his business.

Im done now, have to turn on that right-left thingy so you can all zoom on to the next page you want. Vroom Vroom Kisses, Drivin Chick Posted in Driving Laws Philippines | Leave a Comment

What are the Driving Laws in the Philippines?

June 24, 2009

Really? There are driving laws? Were talking about the Philippines, right? lol, of course. We just dont see them easily around. That is my mission for the next few, to find and share and examine these things. Us regular folks want to be informed what they are so we can better stick to them. I remember researching it before I was to take my drivers license test back in kopong2. Of course, I didnt find any in the net. Unfortunately one has to be more creative where to find these driving guidelines, and if there are, let us all hope they are *ahem* written in regular, understandable-by- the-majority English. For now, lets start with rules as I understand it, based on the Top 10 Traffic Violations from the Land Transportation Office (January 2008). Top 10 to Improve on Driving Laws in the Philippines :

Wear a seatbelt. Have a valid car registration. Have the Original Receipt and Chuva Receipt (OR-CR) with you. Park only in allowed areas. Not obstruct traffic/ hambalang the car If a student driver, drive with a licensed driver. Not participate in a colorum taxi operation For for-hire vehicles, drive in proper attire. No slippers and sleeveless shirts. Yes, your several grand Brazilian flip flops still count as slippers. Drive with valid licenses, not delinquent, suspended, ineffectual or revoked

Drive with a license, of course.

Quite simple, eh? However, these driving laws are still the most to be watched out for as these are the ones most easily ignored in the Philippines. Posted in Driving Laws Philippines | Tagged Driving Laws Philippines | Leave a Comment

Vrroooooommmm! Vroooooooooommm!
June 22, 2009

Think thats how I drive? Sigh. Im actually a chronic 3rd-gear driver. So if the car aint complaining, its the deng blasted cars behind me. I seriously believe Ill be the first person in Philippine history who will be slapped a ticket for underspeeding. Sorry peeps, I started driving regularly when my kids were already at the back seat, so Im hubercareful. Why did I think of starting, of all things, a Philippine traffic laws blog? Because were all clueless. A lot of the otherwise mild-mannered Pinoys out there are bad-mannered out on the road. So I thought, maybe I should research this. If we are lucky to find Philippine traffic rules out there, its all bla-bla-bla. *Big W on my forehead* So I thought maybe I can look stuff up and share it as a regular chick next door would share. Maybe well also talk about totally non-car-geek driving and auto tips for regular folks like us. Houyezz, what does MY driving sound like? Its more like, Vurm. Vrm. Vm