Chapter 2.

Traffic Management

2. Introduction:

This chapter presents the various endeavors of the government for systematic
traffic management. Further, it discusses the different areas of traffic management as
well as the roles of government and non-government agencies responsible for traffic
management.

This chapter is divided into:

Lesson 1. Fundamentals of Traffic Management
Lesson 2. The Pillars of Traffic
Lesson 3. Traffic Safety Education

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. Understand the words and terminologies used in traffic management.
2. Discuss the different areas of traffic management as well as the roles of
government and non-government agencies responsible for traffic management.
3. Discuss traffic safety education particularly in the reduction and prevention of
road accidents.

Learning Content:

Lesson 2.1 – Fundamentals of Traffic Management

Traffic Management is best understood by understanding the following
commonly used words and terminologies. Some of these are defined according to their
“operational definitions” and some are defined based on their general definitions.

Arterial Highways/Roads – these are high capacity urban roads that direct
traffic from collector roads to expressway or freeways. It also refers to a highway that is
used primarily by through traffic.

Articulated Vehicle – it means a combination of vehicles comprising a motor

vehicle and a semi-trailer coupled to the motor vehicle.

Built-up Area – it refers to an area with entries and exits especially signposted
as such or otherwise defined in domestic legislation.

Carriageway – it means the part of the road normally used by vehicular traffic. It
is also known as ROADWAY.

Collector Highway – it is also known as collector road or distributor road which

connects lo-to-moderate highways or roads to arterial highways such as those entering
residential properties. It also refers to a highway that serves primarily to funnel traffic
from one local highway to another or between arterials and local highways.

Combination of Vehicles – it means coupled vehicles which travel on the road

as a unit

Cycle – it means any vehicle which has at least two wheels and is propelled
solely by the muscular energy of the persons on that vehicle, in particular through
pedals or hand-cranks.

The direction of Traffic and Appropriate to the Direction of Traffic. These

mean the right-hand side if, under domestic legislation, the driver of a vehicle must
allow an oncoming vehicle to pass on his left; otherwise these expressions mean the
left-hand side.

Domestic Legislation. It is the entire body of national or local laws and

regulations enforced in the territory (country).

Driver. It means any person who drives a motor vehicle or other vehicle
(including a cycle), or who guides cattle, singly or in herds or flocks, or draught, pack or
saddle animals on a road

Give Way. It means that a driver must not continue or resume his advance or
maneuver if by so doing he might compel the drivers of other vehicles to change the
direction or speed of their vehicles abruptly.

Highway. It means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way
dedicated to a public authority when any part of the way is open to the use of the public
for purposes of vehicular traffic, whether or not the public authority is maintaining the
way. Or, highway refers to any roads, streets, boulevards, or avenues used as a public
thoroughfare.
Intersection. It means any level crossroads, junction, or fork, including the open
areas formed by such crossroads, junctions, or forks.

Laden Weight. It means the actual weight of the vehicle as loaded, with the crew
and passengers on board.

Lane. It means one of the longitudinal strips from which the carriageway can be
divided, whether or not defined by a longitudinal road marking.

Level-crossing. It means any level intersection between a road and railway or

tramway track with its track formation.

Light Trailer. This means any trailer of a permissible maximum weight not
exceeding 750 kg.

Management. It refers to the skillful use of means to accomplish a purpose.

Moped. It means any two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle which is fitted with

an internal combustion engine having a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc and
maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km per hour.

Motor Cycle. It means any two-wheeled vehicle, with or without a side-car,

which is equipped with a propelling engine.

Motor Vehicle. It means any power-driven vehicle which is normally used for
carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the
carriage of persons or goods. This term embraces trolleybuses, that is to say, vehicles
connected to an electric conductor and not rail-borne. It does not cover vehicles, such
as agricultural tractors, which are only incidentally used for carrying persons or goods
by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods.

Motorway. It means a road specially designed and built for motor traffic, which
does not serve properties bordering on it and which:

(i) is provided, except at special points or temporarily, with separate

carriageways for the two directions of traffic, separated from each other by
a dividing strip not intended for traffic or, exceptionally, by other means;
 (ii) does not cross at level with any road, railway or tramway track, or
footpath; and
(iii) is specially sign-posted as a motorway.

Operation. Pertains to a course or series of acts to effect a certain purpose;

manner of action; or a vital or natural process of the activity.

Parked. A vehicle is said to be parked if it is stationary for the period during

which the vehicle is not limited to the time needed to pick up or set down persons or
goods.

Permissible maximum weight. It means the maximum weight of the laden

vehicle declared permissible by the competent authority of the State in which the vehicle
is registered.

Power-driven vehicle. It means any self-propelled road vehicle, other than a

moped in the territories of Contracting Parties which do not treat mopeds as
motorcycles, and other than a rail-borne vehicle.

Road. It refers to the entire surface of any street open to public traffic. It also
includes shoulders and sidewalks (DPWH, 2012). Hence, to DPWH, the term “road” is
synonymous with traffic way.

For purposes of construction, repair, and/or maintenance, roads are classified as:
1. national roads – these are roads/streets interconnecting provinces and/or
cities.
2. Provincial roads – these are roads/streets interconnecting municipalities
and/or cities within the province.
3. City roads – these are roads/streets interconnecting barangay within a city.
4. Municipal roads – these are roads/streets interconnecting barangays within
a municipality.
5. Barangay roads – these are roads/streets located within a barangay which
connect sitios or places within a barangay.

Road users. It shall mean any persons using the road including drivers,
pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters.

Roadway. It refers to that part of the trafficway (road over which vehicles pass.

Rural roads. These are roads where the speed limit is over 60kph. Although
there are high-speed roads in the urban area, for the line marking, they are defined as
rural roads.

Semi-trailer. It means any trailer designed to be coupled to a motor vehicle in

such a way that part of it rests on the motor vehicle and that a substantial part of its
weight and the weight of its load is borne by the motor vehicle.

Shoulder. It refers to either side of the roadway, especially along highways.

Sidewalk. It refers to the paved walkway along the side of a street. It also means
the area determined as follows:
1. On the side of a highway which has a shoulder, a sidewalk is that portion of
the highway between the outside lateral line of the shoulder and the adjacent
property line capable of being used by a pedestrian.
2. On the side of a highway which has no shoulder, a sidewalk is that portion of
the highway between the lateral line of the roadway and the adjacent property
line capable of being used by a pedestrian.
 Standing. A vehicle is said to be standing if it is stationary for the time needed to
pick up or set down persons or to load or unload goods.
Through Highway. It means every highway or portion thereof on which vehicular
traffic is given the right-of-way, and at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from
intersecting highways is required by law to yield the right-of-way to vehicles on such
through highway in obedience to either an authorized stop sign or yield sign, or another
official traffic-control device.

Thruway or Throughway. It is a highway that has limited entrances and exits

such as the expressways, freeways, or motorways. It is known as autobahn in german-
speaking countries and autostrada in Italian-speaking countries. ([Link])

Traffic. It refers to the movement of persons, goods, or vehicles, either powered

by a combustion system or animal-drawn, from one place to another for travel. (early
16th century. Via obsolete French trafique from Old Italian traffic, from trafficare ‘to carry
on trade’, of uncertain origin).

Traffic way. Refers to the entire width between boundary lines of every way or
place of which any part is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic
as a matter of right or custom. It is also synonymous to the public way and road.

Trailer. It means any vehicle designed to be drawn by a power-driven vehicle

and includes semi-trailers.

Unladen weight. It means the weight of the vehicle without crew, passengers, or
load, but with a full supply of fuel and with the tools which the vehicle normally carries.

Urban Roads. These are roads where the speed limit is 60kph or less.

The Intersection
It is defined as the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the
lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two
highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within
vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in
conflict. It is synonymous with crossroads, junctions, or crossings. It also refers to the
area of roadway created when two or more roadways join together at any angle as
described in one of the following;
1. If the roadways have curbs, the intersection is the area embraced within the
prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines.
2. If the roadways do not have curbs, the intersection is the area embraced
within the prolongation or connection of the lateral boundary lines of the
roadways.

Classifications of Intersections according to the number of Intersecting Roads:

1. 3-way intersection – it is commonly known as the T or crossroad which links
three roads.
2. 4-way intersection – the most common type which involved crossings of two
roadways. It is either a regular intersection when the two roads cross
perpendicularly and it is called skewed intersection when the two roads cross at
different angles.
3. 5-way intersection – it involves the crossing of five roads. This type is the least
common.
4. 6-way intersection – it involves the crossing of three streets most often two
perpendicular roads and one diagonal road. This type is very rare.
5. Staggered intersection – it involves two successive T crossroads.
Classifications of Intersections According to Traffic Control:
1. Controlled Intersection – it is controlled by any traffic control devices.
a. Yield-controlled Intersection – it is usually controlled by a Yield sign or Give
Way sign.
b. Stop-controlled Intersection – a STOP sign is usually installed. Most common
are the two-way stops and most countries use the four-way stops or the first-
to-stop first-to-go rule.
c. Traffic Circle – traffic flow here is directed by a circle rotary island or a
runabout sign.

2. Uncontrolled Intersection – this intersection has no traffic signals or traffic

signs. The crossing is by observing the right-of-way rule.
3. Box Junction – this type generally prohibits entry unless the exit is clear.
4. Cloverleaf – a highway interchange at which two highways, one crossing over
the other, have a series of entrance and exit ramps resembling the outline of a
four-leaf clover and enabling vehicles to proceed in either direction on either
highway.

What is Traffic Management?

Traffic Management is the application of the processes and skills in planning,
organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, and budgeting to traffic affairs. Traffic
management also refers to the activities undertaken by a highway transportation agency
to improve roadway system safety, efficiency, and effectiveness for both providers and
consumers of transportation services. It also refers to stationary and moving traffic,
including pedestrians, bicyclists, and all types of vehicles.

Types of traffic management. The two distinct types of traffic management

are the used or utilization of:
1. Traditional traffic engineering tools or devices, to regulate or control traffic, such
as traffic lights, traffic signs, or pavement markings, traffic islands, and other
devices that could control or direct the flow of traffic.
2. Advanced technology like the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) such as the
installation of road sensors for emergency cars, global positioning devices mon
motor vehicles, and road sensors attached to traffic signal lights.

Why Traffic Management is necessary?

In every traffic management, three elements are necessary to be considered.
These are the road (trafficway) system, road users, and the enforcement (and/or
control) procedures. Failure to coordinate these elements in a particular highway and/or
intersection may cause traffic-related problems.
With the advent of science and technology, new and modernized traffic facilities
are introduced. However, despite these modernizations, traffic congestions persist to
exist. The only way to at least cope up with the prevailing traffic-related problems is
coordinated traffic management. Traffic management is therefore designed to make the
traffic way safer for travelers, expedite the movement of traffic, and to provide
convenience to the traffic facilities’ users. In short, traffic management aims to attain
efficiency in the utilization of the traffic way.

A. Major Causes of Traffic Congestion. Based on studies conducted by

authorities.

1. Physical Inadequacy
2. Poor Control Measures
3. Human Errors
4. Poor Maintenance
B. Specific Traffic Problems – Traffic Managers and traffic control officers commonly
encounter the following traffic-related problems:
 1. Traffic Build-up
2. Traffic congestions
3. Traffic jams (snarl-up)
4. Bottlenecks
5. Gridlocks
6. Accidents
7. Collisions

C. Scope of Traffic Management. In connection with the above-stated causes of

congestion, authorities conceived that systematic and effective traffic management is
needed which includes but not limited to the following:
1. All public surface facilities traversing and parking and all types of conveyances
for the movement of persons and things. This includes the provisions on the
controlling traffic flow as well as provisions for the allotments of parking lots or
parking places.
2. All agencies having responsibilities for ascertaining traffic flow requirements,
planning, approving, funding, construction, and/or maintaining these public
facilities for such movements. This area includes traffic planning committees,
those involved in traffic engineering, and the legislative bodies in the
appropriations of funds.
3. All agencies are responsible for licensing, approving, restricting, stopping,
prohibiting, or controlling the use of these facilities. The agencies involved in this
area are the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other traffic enforcement
agencies.

D. Agencies involved in Traffic Management

1. Department of Transportation (DOTr, formerly DOTC).
2. City or Municipal Engineers Office
3. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
4. Legislative (Congress/City or Municipal)
5. Philippine National Police (PNP)
6. Traffic Management Bureaus (TMBs)
7. Academic Institutions
8. Courts
9. Public Information Offices
10. Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT)
11. Citizen Support Groups
12. Tri-Media (including the internet)
Lesson 2.2 – The Pillars of Traffic

A. Pillars of Traffic.
These are the main areas of traffic management which are also known as the “Es” of
Traffic. For a clearer understanding of the various areas of traffic management, the
following pillars are conceived.

Traffic Engineering.
It is the science of measuring traffic and travel the study of the basic laws relative
to the traffic law and generation; application of this knowledge to the professional
practice of planning, deciding and operating traffic system to achieve safe and efficient
transportation of persons and goods.
Functions of Traffic Engineering:
1) Fact-finding, surveys, and recommendations of traffic rules and regulations;
2) Supervisions and maintenance to the application of traffic control device; and
3) Planning of traffic regulations.
Agencies and/or offices under Traffic Engineering:
1) DPWH
2) Provincial governments
3) Municipal governments
4) Chartered cities

Objectives of traffic Engineering:

1) To achieve the efficient, free, and rapid flow of traffic.
2) To prevent a traffic accidents.
3) To simplify police enforcement actions and performance.
4) To show that good police actions and performance makes engineering plans
effective.
5) To present the close relationship between the pillars of traffic in the improvement
of traffic problems.

When and where the Objectives of Traffic Engineering are applied?

1) Habitually congested commercial areas.
2) Heavily traveled thoroughfares.
3) Congested local areas and intersections.
4) During special occasions and events.
5) During disasters or emergencies.
6) At school crossings.

Methods in achieving the Objectives of Traffic Engineering:

1) Planning and Geometric Design-Factor employed in Planning.

a) Composition of the traffic stream
b) Traffic volumes for capacity
c) Origin and destination
2) Factors Influencing Design
a) Composition of traffic
b) Volume of traffic
c) Speed of vehicles
d) The starting, turning, and stopping abilities of traffic units.
e) Performance values of road users

3) Regulation and Control-Traffic Regulation

a) Based and confined within the boundaries of safety, public welfare, and
convenience.
b) Limitations imposed on road users and their load.
c) The basic general rule of road use and conduct.
d) Prohibition and Restriction.

Traffic Education.
It refers to any act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge on traffic
or any matters relating to the use of the traffic way or roadways. Traffic safety education
is the primary concern of traffic education in the area of accident and prevention.
The following are the agencies and offices responsible for traffic education:
a) Schools (Public and Private). Traffic education can be carried out by imparting
the knowledge concerning traffic safety, training, and practice in the actual
application of traffic safety, and developing traffic safety morality.
1) Elementary. In this level, traffic education is focused on safety and guides
stressing traffic safety, classroom discussion of accidents, incidents and
safety rules, organizing safety patrols.
 2) Secondary. Traffic education for high school students is geared toward school
safety organizations.
3) Higher education. Some colleges and universities offer and conduct courses
regarding traffic safety subjects.
b) Public Information Programs. The public should be informed on all activities
affecting the citizens and the community relating to traffic (dissemination of
information). This can be done through public information agency, newspapers,
radio and television broadcasting networks and other forms of media.
c) Citizen Support Groups. These are mostly composed of voluntary non-
government organizations (NGOs), radio communication groups, rotary
organizations, and other voluntary clubs. These organizations usually develop
citizens’ responsibilities, conduct organized educational campaigns, instill
awareness of the traffic problems, and provide information regarding major traffic
requirements and needs.

Traffic Enforcement.
This field deals mostly with the implementation and enforcement of traffic laws and
rules and regulations.
The following are the various agencies/offices that are involved in the
enforcement of traffic laws:
a) Land Transportation Office (LTO). This office responsible for the following:
1) Vehicle registration
2) Vehicle inspection
3) Drivers licensing (examinations, suspensions, and revocations)
4) Public to police on stolen or wanted vehicles.
b) Legislative Bodies. Included are the Senate, Congress, Provincial Boards, and
City or Municipal Councils. They are responsible for the passing and/or
amending of laws and/or ordinances.
c) Police Traffic Enforcement. This pillar is not limited to the PNP-HPG (formerly
TMG) but it includes all government personnel who are duly authorized for the
direct enforcement of traffic laws such as:
1) The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the National
Capital Region.
2) Police Traffic Auxiliaries
3) LTO Law Enforcement Services/Flying Squad

Traffic Ecology or Traffic Environment.

This pillar is very recent which includes the study of potentially disastrous population
explosion, changes in an urban environment due to the scale and density of new urban
concentration and new activities carried out, air population, water pollution, and
crowding, especially transport congestion which result therein.

a) What are the environmental effects of the urbanization of transportation?

1) Noise. It is known that continued exposure to noise level beyond 80dBA
(decibel annually) causes loss of hearing.

Average background noise:

(i) Typical home – 40 to 50 dBA
(ii) Heavy trucks – 90 at 15m/ft
(iii) Freight trains – 75 dBA at 15m/ft.
(iv) Air conditioning -60 dBA at 6m/ft.

2) Vibration
3) Air pollution
 4) Dirt
5) Visual intrusion
6) Loss of Privacy
7) Changes in the amount of light
8) Neighborhood Severance, both physical and psychological
9) Relocation
10)Distraction during planning and construction
11)Accident Experiences
12)Pedestrian Journey
13)Congestion and other Benefits to Vehicles.

b) External factors that influence the existing and future behavior of the
population.
Below are the incidents that may affect the behavior of trafficway users or road
users:
1. Rapidly increasing population growth.
2. Rapidly increasing urbanization.
3. Rapidly increasing motorization.
4. Industrialization and technical modernization.
5. Improvement of the transportation network that the street network and the public
transportation facilities.

c) Alternatives. A more pleasant environment can be achieved without negative

implications for economy and trade so that any reasonable step in this direction
by decision-makers deserves support.

The following are some of the proposed activities that may reduce the adverse
effect of traffic development on our ecology:
(i) Towns are better with less traffic, so long as adequate provision is made for the
mobility of workers and residents and the distribution of goods. It is of urgent
necessity the National Government develop efforts to reduce the adverse effects
of motor traffic in urban areas.
(ii) Where and when traffic congestion and its cost are served and frequent, assures
to reduce the use of private cars and goods, vehicles and to improve alternative
forms of transport should be introduced.
(iii) To limit traffic and to improve the efficiency and quality of service of buses and
transport.
(iv) The pedestrian scheme should be introduced whenever possible to improve the
environment and safety for pedestrians.
(v) The use of non-carbon emitting vehicles should be encouraged like a bicycle
whenever practical.
(vi) A motor vehicle reduction scheme should also be introduced.

d) Laws and Statutes concerning Traffic Ecology

(i) PD 1181. Providing for the prevention, control, and abatement of Air
Pollution from motor vehicles and for other purposes.
“Sec. 1 – The purpose is to prevent, control, and abate the emission of air
pollutants from motor vehicles to protect the health and welfare of the
people and to prevent or minimize damage to property and hazards to
land transportation.
(ii) Letter of Instruction No. 552. Directing the law enforcement agencies to
implement the pollution control program.
(iii) R.A. No. 8749 otherwise known as the Clean Air Act. An Act providing for
the regulation of motor vehicles emitting toxic gases like the use of the
diesel and leaded gasoline.
Traffic Economy.
This is the most recent of the pillars of traffic which deal with the benefits and
adverse effects of traffic to our economy. Primarily, traffic operation is designed to
expedite the movement of traffic. However, with the prevailing traffic congestion during
rush hours in any given locality, traffic adversely affects the economic status of the
commuting public.
One aspect affecting our economy is the unending increase in oil prices in the
world market. Somehow, programs must be instituted to minimize the ill effect of rising
prices of basic commodities. Delays resulting from traffic congestion affect not only the
time of travel but the productivity of an individual as well.

Lesson 2.3 – Traffic Safety Education

What is Traffic Education? It is the process of training road users in the

avoidance and prevention of traffic-related accidents.
It is already identified that one if not the major causes of traffic accidents are
human factors which include but not limited to ignorance, lack of skills, and/or erratic
attitude and behaviors of drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. this can be corrected by
traffic safety education.

Road Safety.
It refers to a reduced risk of accident or injury on the roads, achieved through
multidisciplinary approaches involving road engineering and traffic management,
education and training of road users, and vehicle design.

A. Factors Contributing to Accidents. Research studies in the United Kingdom have

shown that human factors contribute to 95% of accidents, road factors to about one-
quarter of a percent, and vehicle factors to fewer than five percent.

1) Human errors include:

a. Going too fast or excessive speed;
b. Failing to give at junctions;
c. Following too closely;
d. Overtaking improperly;
e. Misperceiving or misjudging the road situation ahead;
f. The intoxication of alcohol or drug; and
g. Lack of skill
2) Road deficiencies that are the main contributory factors are:
a. Poor design of layout and control at junctions;
b. Inadequate signing, road marking, and lighting;
c. Slippery roads; and
d. Obstruction on the road such as a parked vehicles, ongoing road
construction, etc.

3) Main vehicle factors are:

a. Defects in tires, brakes, and lights;
b. Absence of non-using of seat belts; and
c. Poorly maintained motor vehicles.

B. The three (3) principles that have been emphasized as effective in the
prevention of traffic accidents are known, as the three (3) “Es” or pillars of traffic.
Recently, however, the traffic environment and traffic economy were added to complete
with the five (5) pillars of traffic.
 1. Engineering (traffic engineering). Effective construction and maintenance of
traffic facilities which does not only expedite the movement of traffic but also
prevents the occurrence of traffic accidents. Successful treatments have
included:
a. Changes in layout at junctions to define priorities more clearly (use of
roundabouts, or traffic circles);
b. The more widespread use of road markings to delineate traffic lanes and
waiting areas for turning vehicles;
c. Improvements in skidding resistance of wet roads;
d. More uniform street lighting; and
e. More highly visible and legible direction, information, and warning signs.

2. Education (in traffic safety). When road users are informed of the traffic laws,
rules, and regulations, accidents are likely prevented. Further, there are strong
suggestions of benefits from pre-school schemes involving parents, and from
road safety education in schools where it is an integral part of the school
curriculum. Included are:
a. The new approach to training and educating young drivers;
b. Training in hazards perception; and
c. Changing of attitudes.

3. Enforcement (of traffic rules). One of the causes accidents is the blatant non-
compliance of motorists and pedestrians to traffic laws, rules, and regulations. To
minimize the occurrence of accidents due to non-compliance with road users,
enforcement must be conducted. The following are highly recommended in areas
of traffic enforcement:
a. Strengthening and simplifying the application of the law;
b. New technology to aid enforcement;
c. Enhance publicity;
d. Education of teenagers in schools; and
e. The development of rehabilitation courses like seminars for apprehended
traffic violators.

4. Ecology/Environment. People should be educated regarding the adverse effect

of traffic on our environment that directly or indirectly affects the population’s
health.

5. Economy. People should learn also to develop schemes and/or devices and
programs that do not only lessen expenses but also accident-free.

C. Levels of Traffic Safety Education:

1. Imparting knowledge concerning traffic safety.
2. Training and practice in the actual application of traffic safety knowledge; and
3. Developing traffic safety morality.

D. Traffic Safety for Children.

This is highly unsystematic and is usually carried out in the home through parental
education and in Kindergarten and nurseries. This is now necessary to make systematic
to lessen the number of children fatalities and injuries.

1. Elementary. Pupils are usually educated by stressing traffic safety and guides,
and classroom discussions of accidents, incidents, and other traffic safety rules.
2. Secondary. This level initiates the driver education program because students
have reached the age to drive, hence, proper driving habits should be stressed. It
also includes the establishment of school safety organizations.
3. Higher Education. Some universities and colleges offer and conduct courses to
private and public agencies regarding safety subjects.
E. Traffic Safety Education for Adults.
Safety education for elder pedestrians and drivers is relatively easier compared to
the education designed for younger children since the former group is in a better
position to understand what is being taught to them.

1. It is the general belief that by being a better driver, it follows that one becomes a
better pedestrian. By knowing the limitations of the driver and the vehicle as a
driving student, one learns to watch out for dangerous cues such as pedestrians.
This is the basic reason why traffic safety education for adults usually deals only
with the foundations or basics of driving.
2. Driver education is carried out in secondary schools and in private and
government-sponsored driving school in several countries where people are
expected to know how to drive when they reach legal age. The basic purpose of
this education are:
a. To develop good traffic citizens who are equipped to live in a motorized
society and achieving traffic safety.
b. To develop citizens who are legally eligible to get a driver’s license.

F. Driver’s Education.
In general, driver instruction aims primarily to teach the rudiments of driving.
Secondary aims are as follows:

1. to instill awareness of one’s legal and moral responsibilities in traffic, and

2. to teach the abilities required for one to be eligible for a driver’s license.

G. Four (4) basic types of Instruction Methods used in Driver’s education

programs.

1. Comprehensive. This method places the student into the real-life of driving
situations from the beginning.
2. Traditional Instruction. This type of instruction depends on instructor-student
communication.
3. Commentary Driving Method. The student-driver accompanied by an instructor.
As the student-driver drives, the instructor has to give a commentary on his
driving-what he sees, what he does, why he does, what he proposes to do, what
others are likely to do, etc.
4. Simulated Conditions. On and Off the Road Training. The premise of simulated
conditions training is that the relatively analogous to normal behavior. A simulator
is a static machine with all the important features of a car used in a driving
method or driving training.

Two methods of simulation presently adopted:

a) Partial Simulation Method. This method has the specific aim of training for the
“subtask” of the driving task.
b) Global Simulation. It may be classified into two (2) specific groups which are:
training, simulated in traffic situations, and conditions, with the use of simulations.

Simulators are most commonly used for the following types of training:
1) Training in basic car-control skills.
2) Perceptual training.
3) Emergency training.

c) Classification of films as shown by the simulators:

1) The analytical film which provides an “objective” analysis of the driving

situation presented to the student.
 2) The didactic film which aims to show good driving behavior.
3) The simulation film offers “visual realism” to driving situations and therefore a
good aid in actual practice.

H. Essential Component of Driving Tasks. Drivers’ education includes:

1. Collection of information which includes:

a. Perceptual scanning
b. identification
2. Processing of information which includes:
a. Predicting
b. Decision making
3. Action which is focused on:
a. Motor skills and control of vehicles
b. Knowledge and subjective interpretation

I. Biorhythm.
Is the theory which asserts that man exhibits a constant variation of life energy and
mood states. Man’s theorized cycles and interpretations rhythm is peculiar
characteristics of most natural phenomena like:
1. The diurnal exchange of light and darkness.
2. The four seasons.
3. Our wet and dry season.
4. The waxing and waning of the moon.

The observation of the rhythm mentioned and their possible correlation with the
habits of man has led to a host of different theories that tried to explain this correlation
in terms of physical, psychological, etc.
The following are the most controversial theory of biorhythm:

1. 23-day cycle a.k.a. our cycle of strength, endurance, and courage (the male
component of a person).
2. 28-day emotional cycle equivalent to a female’s 28-day menstrual cycle is a.k.a.
our cycle of sensitivity, love, and intuition (the female component of a person).
3. 33-day intellectual cycle.

All these cycles are present at the time we are born. When the curve is above
the centerline, the biorhythm value is said to be “HIGH” or a person has more
energy to spare, i,e.:

1. Physical High – we tend to be energetic, strong, full of vitality.

2. Emotional High – we tend to be creative, artistic, cheerful, and happy.
3. Intellectual high – we can think quickly and logically.

When the curve is below the centerline, the biorhythm is said to be “LOW” or
in a rechargeable period, i,e.:
1. Physical low – we tend to tire quickly and to succumb to illness easily.
2. Emotionally low – we feel moody, irritable, or depressed.
3. Intellectual low – concentrating or remembering is difficult or we are likely to use
poor judgment when any of the curves crossed the center line. This is called a
critical day wherein our systems seem to be in a state of transition. During critical
day, people tend to get sick easily, seem to lack coordination and tend to be
accident-prone.

J. Importance of biorhythm in the field of study.

 It should be borne in mind that biorhythm does not predict what actually will happen.
All it does is to give us a hint on how we will tend to feel on a certain day.

1. The theory asserts that people are accident prone if their biorhythm crosses the
centerline on a certain day or is totally below the line.
2. Theoretically, if we know our biorhythm for a certain day, we can psychologically
cope up with any situation. If we usually overcome any ill effect by awareness
and will power.

K. Safety Campaign.
This is a mass publicity aimed to make road users behave more safely. These
basically focus on public information attitudes, and particular or specific behaviors, or
combinations of these.

SAFETY CAMPAIGN is also known as road propaganda which may be intended

simply to inform or it may be felt that the public is already aware of the recommended
behavior by need to be persuaded into adopting it.

1. Safety campaign classifications:

a. According to purpose- may be categorized as informational, attitudinal and
behavioral;
b. According to a kind of appeal – used to reason by simply feeding the public
with authenticated factual data.
2. Safety campaign design:
a. Initial campaign planning
b. Final campaign design
c. Campaign evaluation
3. Private and Government entities responsible for Safety Campaign:
a. Newspapers
b. Radio broadcasting Networks
c. Television Broadcasting Networks
d. Public Information Agencies.

L. FIVE PILLARS OF ROAD SAFETY (Road Safety Action Plan-LTO)

` Consistent with international and local road safety policies, framework and
standards, the LTO developed its road safety framework based on its mandate:

A. Qualified Drivers - Individuals with sufficient driving skills, and knowledge on

road safety and proper road courtesy, whose eligibility is determined by passing
the LTO-conducted theoretical and practical examinations. Developing qualified
drivers is an important pillar in the LTO road safety advocacy since human factor
is the major cause of road crashes;
B. Roadworthy Vehicles - Motor vehicles and its relevant parts are compliant with
national standards and international vehicle safety conventions. Ensuring
roadworthiness of vehicles decreases the likelihood of failure in vehicle
functioning, thus reduces the risk of a road crash;
C. Traffic Discipline - It is the conformity/ compliance to road traffic laws, rules,
regulations and/ or a code of behavior. Traffic discipline paves the way for order,
organization and the unhampered traffic flow;
D. Community Relations - Mutually beneficial relationship with communities in
which an organization operates. Road crashes do not discriminate the victims.
Thus, road safety is every body's responsibility. To ensure safety, the LTO must
solicit the support of everyone in the community; and
E. Legislative Initiative - The right of competent persons and institutions to
introduce for the consideration of a legislative body, or propose to enact a new
law, an amendment to or a repeal of existing legislation. While there are many
land transport and traffic laws, rules, and regulations, much is to yet to be desired
on specific enabling laws that directly address road safety. Further, with the
changing times, obsolete or laws that are no longer responsive and relevant must
either be amended or completely repealed.