THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said motorists are showing discipline and adhering to traffic rules since the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) was re-imposed in major thoroughfares in the metropolis last May 26.
The Supreme Court partially lifted the injunction it imposed in August 2022, allowing the MMDA to resume enforcing the NCAP, but not for a similar program being implemented by several local government units in Metro Manila.
Data on NCAP apprehensions provided by the MMDA showed that on May 26, it recorded 1,112 traffic violators, 952 the following day, and 797 on Wednesday.
As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the agency said NCAP CCTVs recorded 172 traffic violations.
Most violations recorded were disregarding traffic signs, EDSA bus lane, motorcycle lane violations in Commonwealth Ave., and public utility vehicles’ inappropriate loading and unloading locations.
MMDA chief Romando Artes said the data showed that motorists are becoming more aware that any traffic violation they commit will be recorded and are now becoming more disciplined.
“Yes, there is a significant decline in the number of apprehensions in the past three days. The only reason we see is that drivers are cautious and are following traffic rules, knowing violations can be caught through CCTV cameras,” Artes said.
He noted that before the resumption of NCAP enforcement, most motorists had a lackadaisical attitude in adhering to traffic rules, especially if there was no traffic enforcer in sight.
“Before, the attitude probably was that when they do not see an enforcer on the ground, they disregard traffic laws because they will not be apprehended,” he said.
The MMDA has around 350 CCTVs deployed in strategic locations on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other major roadways. Artes said they would deploy more in the coming days.
Artes said the data showed that the initial misgivings of some, including several lawmakers, about the NCAP are misplaced.
“Yes. And we are gathering data on whether there is a drop in accidents, too. Hopefully, there is improvement,” the MMDA chief added.
