NCAP, also known as Non-Contact Apprehension, has been in effect for some cities in Metro Manila and also enforced by the MMDA. NCAP, in the long run, will be great. Drivers will be more careful where they turn, park or wait. It’s not only a photo evidence, but a video. This will also remove cars with wang-wang and VIP drivers. However, there are still several things that needs to be ironed out to make this successful or at least work properly:
1. FIX STREET SIGNS AND MARKINGS
If you want us to obey the rules, make the rules clear. If we were meant to turn left in that lane, have ADVANCED markers for them. Dont just have them on the area where there is already a solid lane. Below is an example where in the intersection is a dead end and the only options are either to go right or left. However, if there are vehicles, the markings will be covered. And the only way to know which lane goes where is when you the previous vehicle has moved away.
2. HAVE TIMERS
I know we’re now moving to the technology of sensors where it will detect volume of vehicles. However, what if it’s a heavy intersection like Lacson and España? Since all sides have heavy traffic, will the it be a continuous green for all sides? As a driver, it’s still better to know how much time is left there to determine if we will be stuck in the yellow intersection box or not. Will they waive the ticket if we move to the sensor era?
3. USE INFOGRAPHIC
We live in a world of infographics now to help explain to people how stuff works. The bike lane is confusing especially in intersections where the markings do not indicate that the lane would be shared by the driver and bike rider. Therefore, create one. Don’t expect us to know then just issue a ticket. If the goal is for a harmonious society, then just simply show us.
4. UNIFY WEBSITES
In the IT world, what is needed is an API (Application Programming Interface). This would allow all the accounts to be merged into one so if you’re work deems you to travel to different cities daily, you would not have to check each NCAP website of each city. Instead, it’s all just into one.
For example, https://www.cheapflights.com/ will allow you to compare prices offered by different websites and airlines so you can get the best deal possible.
5. BE THE ONE TO REPORT TO HPG
There was once a case in the Toyota Innova Group of the Philippines where an Innova owner was sent by a city with NCAP that he was beating the red light. However, in the picture, it shows a van. The owner was given 2 options by a lawyer in the group . One is to file an affidavit and contest it. The second one is to pay the small fine — it was like P350.
This should not have happened. If the city gave this to LTO to get the address of the owner, LTO should also at least give the year make model of the car. If it does not match to what was apprehended, then this is a police matter. This is a hassle for the car owner. Let them off the hook. They have nothing to do with this.
6. COVERED/DIRTY PLATE OR NO PLATE SHOULD BE IMPOUNDABLE
If NCAP was to work, all vehicles should be easily identifiable. Plates should be unhindered and upright. No plates should have conduction numbers. Otherwise, it will be impoundable. This should include plates that are #8.
7. ONLINE DISPUTE
Have a way to dispute it online. No need to send us a letter. Have it all online. Show us a video, not a picture so there’s reference. Recently, there was a video of an ambulance not given way because the drivers did not want to be tagged by NCAP. We live in an online world now and this is not difficult. Violation is a violation so a dispute does not mean the driver is right. This is for drivers that were wrongly accused
8. POST IT WITHIN 24 HOURS
This way, we will still have our dashcam records and be able to contest it. There are enforcers that do let us go even if the light is red. What if enforcer is not covered by the camera? Will that be the driver’s fault?
All in all, it’s still best if NCAP is just managed by one group across the nation so it’ll be easier to manage. We’ve got a long way to go but hopefully things improve for the better
