Motovlogger accepts LTO sanctions after viral road rage incident

The motorcycle vlogger who went viral over a road rage incident at the Coto Mines in Masinloc, Zambales said on Thursday that she accepts the sanctions imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). 

“I accept the sanction imposed—even in the absence of substantial evidence directly proving fault on my end. It’s worth noting, too, that this involved a trail bike. I hope this opens up further clarification on where law enforcement begins and where it ends,” said Yanna Aguinaldo in an email sent to GMA News Online. 

In a 7-page decision, the LTO fined Aguinaldo P5,000 for using a motorcycle without side mirrors and another P2,000 for reckless driving.

Her driver’s license was also preventively suspended for a period of 90 days and was placed under alarm. 

The LTO also said the offenses committed by Aguinaldo, who goes by Yanna Motovlog online, were caught in the viral video she herself uploaded to her social media account, particularly the dangerous maneuvers she did while overtaking a pickup as well as the absence of side mirrors on the motorcycle she was using.

The vlogger was absolved in the third case since she is not the registered owner of the motorcycle. 

She was also summoned by the LTO to explain why her driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked. She was also ordered to submit an explanation on why she should not be administratively charged. 

But Aguinaldo did not show up to the hearing. 

“That said, I’ve chosen not to contest the decision—not because I agree with the process, but because I value moving forward with integrity over prolonging noise. If there’s a silver lining, it’s this: the LTO has shown it can pay attention,” she added. 

The motovlogger also said that the LTO should also look into “more pressing, long standing issues that truly compromise public safety on a daily basis.” Among the issues she cited include unregulated, overloaded trucks on provincial highways; illegally parked vehicles blocking emergency lanes; lack of pedestrian infrastructure in high-risk zones; unmarked road hazards like open manholes and broken barriers; and motorists without licenses who continue to operate. 

The decision stemmed from a video the motovlogger shared during a trip to Zambales where she had a confrontation with a driver of a pickup truck.

The motovlogger later apologized to the pickup driver as well as to the riding community over the incident.

In another video, she and her brother went to the workplace of the pickup driver to personally apologize. However they did not find the driver.

Aguinaldo instead issued her apology in a video message.

Further, the LTO also ordered the suspension of the license plate of the motorcycle registered under the name of the vlogger and tasked law enforcers to confiscate it.

Law enforcers were also directed to apprehend the vlogger if she’s found driving in public while her driver’s license remains suspended.

Following the LTO’s decision, Aguinaldo’s Facebook page was deactivated, but her YouTube channel is still up. — BM, GMA Integrated News