Bambi Eloriaga-Amago
However iconic and as much a part of Filipino culture it may be, in the long run, the jeepney may actually be bad for the drivers who depend on it for their livelihood.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the College of Engineering at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman showed that because of the vehicle’s poor design and lack of ergonomic elements, driving a jeepney around for long hours may be harmful to the driver’s health.
At an average height of 53.89 cm, the driver’s backrest can barely offer support, resulting in bad posture. The average driver’s seat, on the other hand, only measures in at 32.44 cm, a length significantly shorter than the average male Filipino lower leg that measures in at 45.27 cm. Aside from the seats, the study also pointed out that a jeepney’s side mirrors are fixed in place, resulting in poor viewing angles that can lead to vehicular accidents.
The study further states that “Public jeepneys manufactured in the Philippines are produced at minimum cost; jeepneys do not undergo proper design planning procedures that other vehicles are subjected to, thus resulting to poorly designed workspace detrimental to the health of the drivers.”
Despite the discomfort, the drivers interviewed for the study expressed contentment with their vehicles. “The drivers just choose to ignore these problems simply because there will be monetary costs in solving these problems and because they have grown accustomed to these conditions,” the study explained.
