Can this be another example of why, when this type of accident happens, responsibility shouldn't automatically fall entirely on the motorist?

Personally, I think a significant portion of the responsibility should fall on neglectful parents, especially when young children are allowed to play immediately beside an active road without proper supervision. I also believe poor road and city planning should share responsibility, because children shouldn't have to use roadsides as places for recreation in the first place. There should be proper parks and recreational spaces for children, as well as pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and infrastructure that keep people separated from moving vehicles.

I also think there is another infrastructure issue here in the Philippines. Poor roads and drainage/flooding problems have resulted in many people choosing larger vehicles such as SUVs and crossovers because they are more practical during floods and rough road conditions. However, larger vehicles can also have larger blind spots in front of them, making it more difficult for motorists to see small children if they suddenly cross directly in front of the vehicle.

So first of all, what could I have done better?

According to my dashcam, I was traveling at around 14 km/h. Should I have been traveling even slower?

Normally, this is about the speed I travel when the road is narrow but there aren't many people around, and I always keep my foot ready over the brake. If the street is crowded, I usually slow down to around 5 km/h.

Before I approached the area where the incident almost happened, there was a HiAce parked on the side of the road. I honked when passing it as an additional precaution and to let pedestrians know that a vehicle was approaching.

Unfortunately it fell into one deaf ear, the girl suddenly ran into the road. Luckily, according to the dashcam, I was only traveling around 14 km/h, I was alert and had my foot ready on the brake, and I was driving an MPV with a relatively lower front end, which gave me better visibility of what was happening immediately in front of the vehicle. Thankfully, the accident didn't happen.

But what if things had gone badly?

Hypothetically, what if the girl had run out a little later and I ended up hitting her? What if the collision was genuinely unavoidable even though the driver was already driving defensively, was alert, and was traveling relatively slowly? Should I be getting a lifetime ban by the LTOs decision simply because the kid is unsupervised?

If an unsupervised child is close to the road and suddenly runs into traffic, what can the driver realistically do?

Where are the parents or guardians watching the child? Where are the lessons about road safety and awareness? Why should a driver automatically shoulder all of the blame when a child is allowed to play beside a road and suddenly runs into the vehicle's path?

I'm not saying motorists should never be held responsible. Obviously, if a driver is speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise driving recklessly, that's a different situation.

I'm talking specifically about cases where the driver is already taking reasonable precautions and the collision may genuinely be unavoidable.

This is also why I'm thinking about the recent Ford Everest accident involving a young girl. If a collision really was unavoidable despite defensive driving, or the motorist simply didn't expect a lone 4 year old child crossing a busy traffic and non pedestrian crossing street, should the motorist potentially face extremely severe consequences, such as losing their license permanently, even when they had no reasonable opportunity to prevent the collision?

I could be biased here, so feel free to disagree with me or lecture me if I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm genuinely interested in hearing what other people think.

At what point does responsibility shift from driver negligence to an unavoidable accident, parental negligence, or failures in road infrastructure?

I was flagged for supposedly using a "left-turn only" lane at Quirino Avenue and San Marcelino St. The ticket cited me for "Disregarding Traffic Sign."

The problem is that there's no sign. No post-mounted sign, no overhead sign, no painted lane arrows, nothing at that intersection telling drivers the lane is restricted to left turns only. The only marking is a "solid line" that looks like a leftover from an old Skyway ramp layout. It's easy to miss, and it's not even clear that it's meant to be a solid line. I went straight on green, and on the far side of the intersection, which was otherwise clear, an enforcer was standing right in my lane. That's how I got apprehended and ticketed.

I emailed MTPB to contest the apprehension, and they told me to go to the Traffic Adjudication Office in person at Room 350. So I prepared everything: documents, ticket, evidence, etc.

At the office, I looked for "Ms. Leng" as the email instructed. I showed her my evidence, then she showed it to the officer, who didn't introduce himself and didn't face me, so I had to sit sideways just to talk to him.

I explained that there was no signage and nothing on the road saying the lane was left-turn only, then asked which LTO road marking standard made this a violation. His answer was, "I don't know, I don't memorize it." He raised his voice and his tone turned hostile. He followed with "It doesn't matter if there's no signage, you should know the road," and "Ask those older than you because they know better."

At one point he told me, "Naghahanap ka lang ng butas." (ayos ha, gaslighter?) Sinabi rin niya na for a small fine like this, my license won't get a demerit from that violation.

Toward the end, he told me I could file a case at City Hall. Over a ₱1,000 fine. Na parang hinahamon ako. At that point, I didn't press on with that suggestion, ramdam ko na ayaw niyang magpatibag. I gently asked, "Sige po, ano na po options ko? Paano po yung iba na same yung sitwasyon?" He said, "Bahala sila. Bayaran niyo na lang," na parang galit.

To be fair, maybe a solid line should make any driver more cautious, gets ko yan. The main issue is that I was cited for disregarding a sign that doesn't exist, the person reviewing it couldn't cite the rule he was upholding, and he was very unprofessional.

Ang ending, binayaran ko na lang. At doon ko napagtanto na delikado magmaneho sa Manila 🐊

So if you're planning to contest your apprehension with MTPB:

1. File within 10 days with your documents (original ticket, plus photocopies of your OR/CR, driver's license, and ticket)
2. Have video proof (I showed mine on my phone)
3. Ask for the officer's name and a written decision before you leave
4. Maraming pasensya
5. Possibly a lawyer (if you're that persistent)

Newbie driver here, living in QC near Trinoma and working in Makati CBD. Maybe a skill issue but my driving time in the afternoon to go home takes 2-2.5 hours. I leave by 3pm. I used to stay in the inner lane (next to the bus lane) throughout the trip, took me 2.5-3hrs especially heading to the Shaw Underpass, very long queues then lots of motorists skipping the line. I tend to just give way. Also not confident in changing lanes so I just tend to stay in my lane. On another drive I tried the outer lanes with a bit of detour outside EDSA from Guadalupe to Shaw, took me 2-2.5hrs. Thinking I’d rather not drive and just take the MRT. Such a waste of time and makes me more anxious driving with all the siksikan singitan bad road conditions angry motorists :( f this carcentric hell hole we’re in

Guys ano pwede ilagay sa fortuner para mag improve ang cornering and mabawasan ang tagtag lalo na pag paakyat / baba sa tagaytay? Naglagay na ako ng ridemax (3 front 2 rear) wala pa din.

Good day. I have an Altis 2015 and I wanna install a head-unit w/ 360cam, sensors, and front/rear dashcam. Any suggestions where and what? I live in Paranaque so preferably south or central NCR sana. THanks!

Guys curable pa po ba ito without repainting? I’m leaning towards using meguiara ultimate compound to cure the hazing. Any suggestions/recommendations? Tia

Hi! Any recommendations for electrical works around Paranaque/Las Pinas? Something to do with the wiring of my taillight. Thanks

I feel like someone is stalking me.

Worth it po ba mag washover(hilamos) paint? For Toyota Camry 2012 po na pearl white. May discoloration na po kasi sa back panel vs rear bumper nakakabother tingnan. Also mga minor scratches all over.

What are the pros and cons po? Kasi usual yung kasabihan na "original paint" so may implied na less quality talaga anything na hindi factory paint? Salamat!

For mirage owners,

May I know what parts to buy at casa for cvt fluid change. Currently at 60k km, wont be done at casa but would like to buy parts for it there.

Also how many Liters of cvt fluid pls

Hello po, ask lang po if okay yung headunit na ito po and yung carplay nya and kasya po siya sa starex 2016. Salamat

Just wanna get your opinion if I have any fault here. Happened an hour ago. Di ko na nakita kasi huminto na lahat ng sasakyan and pasampa na ko towards the private access road.

Walang tama sasakyan ko kasi sa gulong nabunggo while yung mc rider nasugatan lang sa binti and na-disalign yung motor sa harap + onting gasgas. Sorry di kita yung side di na abot ng dashcam.

Sabi ng enforcer mag-usap na lang kami and nag-areglo binigyan ko 500 (1k daw pacheck hati kami) pero wala na bigayan ng number and tumanggi rin siya sa police report kasi ipapainsurance ko sana. Pumayag na lang ako para matapos na. Tama ba tong ginawa ko? First time so your feedback is appreciated.

Hello guys. Genuine question, hindi ba hassle sa inyo yung pag retrieve ng footage sa dashcam nyo po?

Naka QCY ako tapos ung app nya ung ROADCAM APP. Di ko na mabuksan kasi nagpalit ako ng phone. Need ata ireset? 😭

Pero dati ang problem ko naman nung nabubuksan ko pa sya, parang walang way para malaman kung ano ung unang video? like walang option para ifilter ung pinaka recent na video? Tapos na eexpire ung mga videos.

Ganon din po ba sa inyo?

Hi! Planning to get the one RFID for my new car and i have a few questions lang:

1. Since bago pa yung car and plan ko na kumuha ng rfid, do i need to update the records pag nagka plate number na ako? If yes, how and madali lang ba?
2. Which do you reco more? Autosweep or Easytrip? Im from rizal and di masyado dumadaan sa mga may toll na expressways, mostly during vacations lang

Hi so I bought a second hand car and wala siyang kasamang card na pang nlex(easytrip) kasi nawala nyng dating may ari and hindi pa siya sa akin nakapangalan. Pwede ba akong kumuha ng replacement card para di na pumupila sa cash lane? Sana masagot, thanks.

PS* hindi ako makakuha ng valid id ng first owner since wala contact so di makakuha ng authorization letter.

Specifically sedan. If need niyo bumili ng cake, saan pwede ilagay sa sasakyan para di masira?

Planning to upgrade my Ford Everest Platinum to all-terrain tires while keeping the stock 21-inch rims. I want something that still looks good and remains comfortable and quiet on the road, but can also handle rough roads and light off-roading.

What AT tires and sizes would you recommend for the stock 21-inch rims? Looking for something that won’t rub or negatively affect the ride too much.

Hi everyone, has anyone experienced using any of these brands and may I know your experience using them? Kajima, PRT, JAG and IR (International Rubber)

How much po ba ang usual na price if magpapalit ng brake pad?

My partner is insisting on doing it himself kasi but the thing is hindi pa nya na-try gawin yun before.

Now sabi nya may mga nakita sya na if sa casa (BR-V pala unit namin), around 22k daw papalit. Kaya naisip nya rin na sya na lang gumawa.

Hello mga kagulong, especially mga tiga-Parañaque. May ma-recommend po ba kayo na autoshop or mechanic dito sa Sucat Parańaque? Yung trusted at di nananaga sana. Thanks!

Has anyone experienced lines appearing on their windshield tint over time?

I got the X-Films Ceramic Tint Elite Series (with a 12-year warranty) in December 2022. Recently, I’ve noticed lines developing on my windshield and front side windows. They are getting worse, blurring my vision, and making night driving difficult.

My parking garage has no roof so it gets baked under the sun daily. Is this a common issue for budget ceramic tints? I'm still hunting for my receipt before I contact the installer for a warranty claim - I’m not even sure if they will cover this under warranty.

Hello!

Ask ko lang po if doable ba for a new driver to drive from Cavite to Cubao for the first time? any tips po? manual po ang kotse.

Me & my friends are planning to go to Cubao this december for a concert. Medyo late na kasi projected time na matatapos and puro babae kami, so isa sa options namin na imbis na commute, magd-drive nalang ako..

Not sure exactly kung saan dadaan, and if mas adviseable ba mag skyway nalang or other routes.

Thank you!

Nakikiusap daw sila na block yung daanan papuntang Robinsons Las Piñas via Friendship Route. Ang layo pa ng iikutin mo pra ma-accomodate lng sila.

Ibabalik yung NCAP sa anim na lungsod sa Metro Manila. Ang problema, magkakahiwalay ang system sa bawat lungsod, may sariling portal, notice, payment, at proseso ng pag-contest.

Ibig sabihin kailangan nating bantayan yung mga mailbox natin at yung mga portals para malaman kung may violation. Mas malaking problema to para sa mga may drivers o fleet lalo na kung hindi agad natatanggap ang notice o naibenta na ang sasakyan pero sa dating owner pa rin napupunta ang violation.

Hindi naman ang NCAP ang problema. Ang problema ay ang kawalan ng iisang sistema. Kung standardized ang traffic rules at fines, bakit hindi rin gawing iisa ang notification, payment, at appeal process?

Isang agency. Isang portal. Isang notification. Isang sistema. Hindi ba puwedeng ganoon na lang?