The multi-million security facility called the Command Center in Davao City which became fully operational early this year seems to have had a positive effect on the traffic situation. This according to Col. Desiderio Cloribel, chief of the Traffic Management Center, adding that traffic violations have been significantly low since then.
Set-up in 17 major intersections in the downtown area, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, connected to the Command Center, are designed mainly to help curb common crimes and terrorism.
Noting that traffic violations occur at an average of 70 a day, or about 26,000 a year, Cloribel said in an interview that the surveillance cameras have been quite efficient in deterring traffic violations. The TMC has in fact already documented various violations which erring motorists cannot deny when confronted with evidence.
Since the advent of the surveillance cameras, reckless and irresponsible motorists have become wary of violating traffic rules. One positive side effect of that is that corruption among traffic police who used to collect money from erring motorists has also been minimized because of the CCTV cameras.
“The violators cannot anymore protest or question the charges against them because their violations are clearly captured and documented by the cameras. The interactions between the abusive and erring motorists and traffic enforcers are much lesser now. No more hassle brought by heated arguments between violator and enforcer,” Cloribel said.
While the movement of traffic is monitored through surveillance cameras, Cloribel said, documented traffic violations are forwarded to the Land Transportation Office which will then collect the required fine.
With photos captured by CCTV cameras actually showing the violations committed, apprehended drivers are surprised upon receiving notices of the violations they had committed.
Cloribel said the setting up of surveillance cameras has been “an apparently effective and efficient approach.” [LORIE ANN A. CASCARO]
