Have recently noticed portions of roads in town have been blocked in order for markings to be repainted. Why? Based on how local motorists operate, the lines have no meaning. On any given day, on any of the roads in Bacolod City, vehicles are driving along the lines, squeezing between lanes of traffic and creating their own personal lanes, occupying lanes in the opposite direction as they wait for traffic lights, and blatantly driving against the flow of traffic. Realistically speaking, given the circumstances of city roads, why have lines in the first place? If drivers refuse to adhere to the simple notion of driving within organized lanes, and nobody is willing to enforce something so basic, then what’s the point?

Ironically, when this column debuted, the first article was a two-part series called “The Insignificant Lines,” discussing the innumerable reasons why city drivers either don’t know what the lines along the road signify or believe they are (for whatever reason) exempt from the rules. Since moving to the country, there has been a new mayoral and presidential administration and everything appears to be the same. Clearly, it is not a partisan issue – between administrations that either take action or sit back (all sides succeed in ignoring the issue) – it’s a cultural issue; it all goes back to that old, rather self-deprecating, adage often heard when replying to complaints of the local situation, “Welcome to the Philippines.”

Have posed the question before, is that how local residents really want to portray themselves? Drive past random men relieving themselves along the side of road, “Welcome to the Philippines;” get shortchanged at a local store, “Welcome to the Philippines;” power goes out for over half a day, “Welcome to the Philippines;” internet service is a nightmare, “Welcome to the Philippines.” Perhaps tourism officials find it charming, maybe even quirky; personally, it’s not the most glowing of endorsements.

Having attended high school in the United States, before even being old enough to acquire a learner’s permit, was required to take a semester of driver’s education. The teacher would go over the New Jersey driver’s manual, providing lessons on all aspects of driving – speed limits, proper stopping distance, traffic laws, among a whole myriad of subjects necessary in becoming a responsible driver. In the end, students are subject to a test and that final exam works as one’s written driver’s test.

One of those lessons was devoted to the lines; differentiating between all various styles, such as dotted lines, solid lines, double solid lines, half-solid/half-dotted lines, yellow lines, white lines, among others, and the appropriate ways of maneuvering when encountering such indicators. A lot of those same lines are used throughout Bacolod City but, clearly, the rules attached to them do not apply – as with many of the laws passed throughout the country, they’re only for show. Why even have different lines if the rules that govern them are not even applicable? Are local governments just copying what they’ve seen elsewhere? Do they like the design? The lines serve zero purpose if the rules are not included.

The mere fact that about half of Bacolod City drivers have no idea how to use the lines is a major indicator of an ongoing problem.

Beyond trying to have one understand a double solid line cannot be crossed or shifting lanes on a half-solid/half-dotted line is only in one direction or a yellow line separates traffic headed in opposite directions, how so many people behind the wheel are unable to comprehend that one drives between the lines and not along the lines is both appalling and scary. In the same way learning to look both ways before crossing the street is taught in kindergarten or first grade but, obviously, not adhered to by adults; there seems to be a similar disconnect when it comes to those old lessons of coloring within the lines.

Local governments can save a lot of time and money by not repainting the meaningless lines on the road. Plus, the paint wears away quickly since so many more motorists are driving along the lines rather than in between them./WDJ