The recent viral incident of an ABiaS-CBN news vehicle that refused to give way to an emergency vehicle brings another evergreen problem to mind. I remembered long ago that I wrote that many Filipinos just don't have the right to drive. One of the reasons why their privileges should be removed (that is, their driver's license) is because of their bad habit that they just DON'T BOTHER give way to emergency vehicles. Yes, it's a very common observation even before that caught on camera incident with ABiaS-CBN. The incident with ABiaS-CBN is but a microcosm of a common, ongoing problem with a LOT of Filipino drivers. Hopefully, ABiaS-CBN will FIRE that crew regardless.
I remembered when I wrote about traffic guidelines during the term of former president Noynoy Aquino. How can a lot of Filipinos expect traffic problems to be solved if they themselves don't want to follow simple guidelines? They can't even follow basic red light, yellow light, and green light. They don't even want to follow pedestrian rules. They don't even stay in their lane. They're fond of overtaking others. They even are fond of speeding on no speeding areas. Not to mention, they would just ignore the basic rule of law that if there's an emergency vehicle (especially if the SIREN IS ON) - you really need to GIVE WAY to that person because something urgent needs to be done.
A news report from ABiaS-CBN some time even showed that a patient died ALONG the way due to intense traffic. This kind of problem can also be further escalated when Filipino drivers just refuse to give way. The caught on camera video had the drivers of the emergency vehicle HONKING MANY TIMES and PLEADING MANY TIMES with the ABiaS-CBN vehicle to kindly give way. Yet, the driver of the ABiaS-CBN vehicle still REFUSED to give way. However, it's unfair to single it out because the incident happens DAILY in the Philippines. Many Filipino drivers (including public vehicle drivers) are so arrogant on the road that they think they own the road. Just had me thinking that jeepneys are probably and rightfully called "King of the Road" because arrogant jeepney drivers act like they own the road.
This is really a problem that EVERY DECENT FILIPINO has to suffer daily. This also includes Filipinos who are in the emergency response team. It just got worse in this time of pandemic when frontline workers (both medical and military) really need urgent response to deliver supplies. Yet, some Filipinos just continue in their pasaway mentality then they say that they're not to blame because the supplies and budget aren't with them. What's the use of the frontliners having the supplies and budget if Filipino drivers just refuse to give way to them? Those who deliberately refuse to give way to emergency vehicles should get their licenses suspended for a certain period of time.
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