INTRODUCTION

Traffic enforcement has long been a staple of police organizations as an essential service to the public. It
is widely considered one of the most effective tools to combat and deter traffic infractions and crime.
Recently, society has made demands and outcries for police to find remedies to the rising increase in
aggressive driving and crime rates.

Many departments have dedicated resources into improving output from traffic units in order to vamp
up public safety on the roadways. In turn, focus has shifted toward specialized assignments or task force
units (directed patrols) designed to address targeted traffic problem areas, impede drug trafficking, and
hobble other organized crime. If you consider how we use motor vehicles for conveyance and transport
in our daily lives, endless possibilities are also sought after in the criminal world.

Most people are familiar with the axiom of traffic stops being “routine” and perhaps disregard their
complexity and dynamic potential. They are far from being classified as standard or ordinary and can
rapidly change in scale ranging from a simple citation for speeding to an ambush on the officer. Let's
take a look at the complexity by dissecting several fragments making up the experience of a traffic stop
from the officer's and citizen's points of view.

Hon. Gatchalian (2017), author of H.B. No. 5242, otherwise known as “An Act Establishing the National
Traffic Enforcement and Management Center, Defining Its Powers, Functions and Duties, and
Appropriating Funds,” claims that traffic enforcers play a vital role in maintaining public order and safety
in our roads. A properly trained traffic enforcer coupled with the best practices in the enforcement of
traffic laws will ensure a safer road for the public particularly to motorists and pedestrians, he added.
Knowledge, accordingly, is not enough but optimizing it is a necessity to improve their skills. Solon
(2014) preempts the mandate to build the capacity of the traffic enforcers by providing them formal
training and instruction in all the areas.

The professionalization includes the principles of enforcement, road safety, accident investigation, post-
accident management, and understanding traffic violations. Correspondingly, McQuerry (2011) cites
that a professional traffic enforcer and manager take responsibility and commitment towards services
and performance.

In 1995 Philippine Constitution, Section 5, it clearly stipulates the protection of life and the general
welfare of its people. However, insurance of this protection and welfare depends on the capacity of the
enforcers tasked on this matter. This capacity, on the other hand, depends on how trained and how
knowledgeable these people are. Under the mandates of the Philippine Constitution, R.A 4136 creates
the basic law regulating rules and the creation of land transportation commission in the Philippines. In
congruent to these laws, Malaybalay City Local Ordinance (L.O) 468, Series of 2000, stipulates that
recruitment of adequate members of the Traffic Aides (who function as enforcers) must be
educationally, mentally, and physically qualified.

Vollmer (1953), the father of Law Enforcement Professionalism advanced that every enforcer must be
enrolled in a pre-employment category to maintain professional standing. This stage will train the
enforcers to gain competence and knowledge. Once an enforcer passes the qualification, only then
he/she will be allowed to enforce laws and orders on the streets.
Traffic enforcement is designed to promote public safety by stopping a violation, reducing crashes, and
enhancing public enjoyment. At the same time, it deters other drivers from committing an infraction and
historically changes behavior of the ticketed driver and onlookers. Presence of law enforcement is on
every driver’s mind on any roadway. In conjunction, safe driving techniques and unsafe alternatives and
consequences keeps most vehicle drivers in a “checks and balances phenomenon” while operating a
motor vehicle.

Traffic stops are the most common interaction a citizen will have with a police official. To some, it may
be the only contact they encounter with law enforcement. These experiences influence citizens’
perceptions of law enforcement, department directives, and public opinion.

Are traffic infractions frivolous and do police organizations focus too much attention to this matter? On
the contrary, many communities report law enforcement organizations do not devote enough tactical
attention to traffic operations. In fact, most departments have room for improvement and enhanced
enforcement of traffic codes. This can be explored by analyzing traffic crashes, defining problem areas,
observing traffic congestion, speed concerns, and identifying aggressive driver behavior. Administrators
evaluate their programs and resources accordingly to keep updated and apprised of flux in community
specific issues and traffic/crime hot spots. With these considerations, a community can evaluate where
traffic enforcement is successful or where additional operations are needed.

Traffic flow, safe operation of motor vehicles in masses, and efficient infrastructure are direct parallels
to public safety. Law enforcement officials engaged in active random and directed patrols and
implemented traffic enforcement assist with public safety and traffic efficiency. Traffic units also reduce
criminal activity through stops and contacts. Without traffic enforcement, police work would operate at
a detriment of effectiveness due to our reliance on transportation and public safety would be
jeopardized.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This research study sought to determine the level of effectiveness of traffic enforcers in the
enforcement of traffic management in Poblacion, Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon.

This study finds answers to the following questions:

1. How effective is the traffic enforcers towards the traffic management?

2. How traffic law enforcement can contribute to safer roads?
3. How competent is the traffic enforcers in Poblacion, Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this research study is to be able to know the level of effectiveness of the traffic
enforcers in the enforcement of traffic management.

Specifically it aimed to:

1. Determine the effectiveness of the traffic enforcers towards the traffic management in
Poblacion, Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon
2. To be able to know how traffic law enforcement can contribute to safer roads.
3. To be able to know how competent is the traffic enforcers in Poblacion, Sur, Don Carlos,
Bukidnon.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The outcome of this research study would give some information to the researchers how effective is the
traffic enforcers in Don Carlos, Bukidnon. Also it could be beneficial to the traffic enforcers in Don Carlos,
Bukidnon to enhance their works to make the traffic much safer, and to be more efficient and effective
traffic enforcers.

Additionally, this is essential to the traffic enforcers of Poblacion, Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon as they
would be able to utilize the result in order to identify the level of effectiveness that the personnel
possess. With this identification, the traffic enforcers would be able to ascertain the skills needed to be
developed. Also they would be able to assess their efficiency and effectivity whereby ensuring public
safety and free flow movement of all road users.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This research study was conducted in particular context of the town of Don Carlos, Bukidnon. The study
focused predominantly on the effectiveness of traffic enforcers towards traffic management. Thereby
investigating how traffic law enforcement can contribute to safer road and how competent is the traffic
enforcers. The gathering of information is mainly done trough survey questioners. The data was analyze
using descriptive statistics. Further reference of this study were limited to the internet, local ordinances,
and traffic enforcers in Poblacion, Sur, Don Carlos, Bukidnon.
HYPOTHESIS

The effect of traffic enforcers performance causes a lot of traffic and unsafe in the road which lead them
to ineffective performance.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

To ensure better understanding and for clarity of the research, the following terms are defined either
theoretically or operationally, as used in the study.

Traffic Enforcer. This refers to a person who enforces traffic laws, ordinances, rules, and
regulations without fear or favor and assist the general public when necessary and requested (PNP FTO
Guide, 2014).

Traffic management. Is the organization, arrangement, guidance and control of both stationary
and moving traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists and all types of vehicles. Its aim is to provide for the
safe, orderly and efficient movement of persons and goods, and to protect and, where possible,
enhance the quality of the local environment on and adjacent to traffic facilities.

Traffic. Refers to all the vehicles that are moving along the roads in a particular area.

Traffic enforcement. Is designed to promote public safety by stopping a violation, reducing

crashes, and enhancing public enjoyment. At the same time, it deters other drivers from committing an
infraction and historically changes behavior of the ticketed driver and onlookers.