Audible traffic signals to help PWDs proposed

A neophyte lawmaker has filed a bill requiring all traffic lights to be equipped with Audible Traffic Signal (ATS) and push buttons on all pedestrian crossings to provide safety for person with disability,elderly and pregnant woman pedestrians when crossing the street.

Rep. Lorna Velasco (Party-list, AMA) filed House Bill 4140 otherwise known as the “Person With Disability, Elderly and Pregnant Woman Pedestrians’ Welfare Act of 2014” to make PWDs, as well as the elderly and pregnant women, self-reliant.

“The audible traffic signal will provide information about the status and relative position of pedestrian light signals while the push button will give more time to PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women to cross intersections,” Velasco said.

Velasco said traffic lights and pedestrian lanes are provided for in intersections to enhance safety of pedestrians and motorists alike.

She said since time immemorial, traffic lights have been designed tocater to the general public without any consideration for persons with disability, the elderly and pregnant women.

“The absence of device in traffic lights that will assist them in crossing pedestrian lanes places them and others, especially motorists, in danger.  This makes it a matter of public concern,”

Velasco stressed.

According to Velasco, the installation of ATS and push buttons in every traffic light is consistent with the mandate of Republic Act 7277 otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.”

“Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society, thus the State shall give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society,” Velasco said.

Velasco added that the State declares to uphold the rights of PWD, the elderly and pregnant women to live a normal life, as far as practicable, by formulating, establishing and implementing policies that empower and make them self-reliant.

“An audible traffic signal includes two speakers at the end of a crosswalk and a control section. The control section navigates a person crossing by simultaneously emitting sounds as in back and forth call operation from the two speakers disposed at the two ends of the crosswalk for a period during which crossing is permitted,” Velasco explained.

On the other hand, the push button, whenever activated by a pedestrian crossing an intersection, shall trigger a countdown timer in the traffic light, which will give ample time for a person with disability, and elderly person or a pregnant woman to cross the pedestrian lane.

Under the bill, Audible Traffic Signal and Push Button for PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women shall be installed in all pedestrian crossings with traffic signals that regulate vehicular traffic.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) or appropriate government agency shall conduct a time and motion study to determine the sufficient time that will give PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women enough time to cross intersections safely.

Likewise, the LTO and other concerned agencies are mandated to implement the rules and regulations of this Act.