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| City Guide - Manila - Road | ||
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Road Driving in Manila is not for the faint-hearted, as there is a fairly opportunistic attitude. In theory, the Filipinos drive on the right and the legal driving age is 18 years. The national roads (expressways), smaller main roads (highways) and smaller streets or alternate roads are all signposted in English. There are drink-driving laws but these are not strictly adhered to. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio when in control of a vehicle is 0.10%, equivalent to six bottles of beer. If stopped by the police the fine is P2000 or three to six days in jail and the obligatory attendance at a seminar on the dangers of drink driving. The general rule is that drivers give way to buses at all times. The safest lane is the outside lane but drivers will overtake on the inside or on the hard shoulder if there is a gap in the traffic. Care should be taken when driving at night especially because many cyclists and even truck drivers may not use lights. Accidents are marked by burning oil cans placed in the road. Foreign and international driving licences are valid for 90 days from arrival in the country but it is unlikely you will be asked for your licence once the vehicle is hired. No other documentation is needed apart from your passport. The Philippine Motor Association, 683 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City (tel: (02) 723 0808-18; website: www.pma-natlautoclub.org), operates a 24-hour emergency breakdown and towing service within Metro Manila, free to members. Emergency breakdown service Philippine Motor Association 723 0808-18 Routes to the city: The main ring road around Manila is called Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and runs from near the airport to Caloocan City in the north of Metro Manila. Another main highway that runs into central Manila from the airport is the President Osmena Highway, joining President Quirino road, which carries into Malate. Roxas Boulevard runs along the west coast from Paranaque. It becomes Bonifacio Drive and meets C M Recto - another main road running from San Nicolas inland towards the Pasig River in San Miguel. Driving times to Manila: From Cavite - 1 hour; Angeles - 1 hour 30 minutes; Batangas - 2 hours; San Pablo - 2 hours; Baguio - 4 hours; Legaspi - 12 hours. |
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