VIRAL: Motorist helps elderly woman cross Quezon Avenue

MANILA, Philippines – A viral video showing a motorist helping an elderly woman cross the streets has drawn recognition and praises from netizens. 

Since Facebook user Jerremie Villanueva posted the video on September 7, it has gained 154,000 views and thousands of engagements in less than 24 hours. 

According to Villanueva, the incident happened along Quezon Avenue corner Scout Borromeo in Quezon City at around 11 am on September 7.

The owner of the video lauded the motorist for prioritizing the safety of the elderly woman over his motorcycle, which was at risk of being stolen or towed as he just left it the side of the road to help the elderly woman to cross the busy road. He was seen putting his hand up to signal approaching vehicles to make way for the senior, who appeared too frail to walk up and down a footbridge, and accompanied her across the road.

The motorcycle rider even waited until the elderly woman got on a bus.

Villanueva said the act of kindness had his “faith in humanity restored.”

Special lanes bill

Aside from putting the spotlight on kind acts, the viral video also highlighted the need for better facilities for pedestrians like the elderly woman, to help her cross the street safely.

Last year, House Bill 6505 –  which seeks to provide special lanes and mechanisms in crossing the street for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women – was referred to the House committee on social services.

The  proposed Special Lanes and Mechanisms in Crossing the Street Act of 2016 seeks to create special lanes for crossing the street with distinguishing features for easier access and accommodation, for the exclusive use of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

At present, many roads have designated footbridges to ensure pedestrians’ safety while crossing the road, but PWDs, the elderly, and pregnant women have difficulty accessing or are not physically able to use them.

Under the proposed measure, pedestrian-controlled crossings will be provided with enhanced features to assist the disabled, such as tactile cones near or under the control button which rotate or shake when the pedestrian signal is green – the image of a “green man” which will help the visually impaired.

Other mechanisms being pushed in the bill are a tactile surfacing pattern within adjacent footways to help visually impaired pedestrians know when they have reached the other side and an audible or beep signal system to help signify when it is safe to cross or not cross the road.

When Rappler checked with the House of Representatives, the bill is still  pending in the committee level since it was referred to the panel on May 23, 2016.

In the Philippines, motorists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable to road crashes. According to the 2014 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, 1,287 elderly people aged 60 and over died because of a road crash. (READ: Road deaths in PH: Most are motorcycle riders, pedestrians )

In 2016, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority recorded a total of 195 fatalities and 4,913 injuries among pedestrians. – Rappler.com