3 motorists who raced, crashed SUVs in QC face 90-day suspension of driver’s licenses

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of the drivers’ licenses of three motorists who allegedly raced with their sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and figured in a road crash in Quezon City on Monday.

In a statement, the LTO said the drivers and registered owners of the three vehicles – a Toyota Fortuner, Ford Raptor, and Toyota Hilux – are also facing show cause orders (SCOs) to compel them to explain why they should not be held liable for their reckless driving.

The road crash happened early Monday morning along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue near a hospital in Barangay Kalusugan, Quezon City.

An investigation of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Traffic Sector 4 and a dashcam video of the incident that went viral on social media showed that the Toyota Fortuner first sideswiped a Yamaha Mio Aerox motorcycle after the SUV counter-flowed on the opposite lane. This caused the motorcycle rider to lose balance and fall on the road, sustaining injuries.

A few seconds later, the video showed the Ford Raptor approaching fast as if catching up with the Fortuner. The Raptor quickly hit the brakes in order to avoid hitting the motorcycle rider, but a Toyota Hilux that was apparently chasing it also slammed into the Ford Raptor’s rear.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the drivers of the three SUVs should also surrender their drivers’ license while the preventive suspension is in effect.

“Posible ding bawiin o i-revoke ng LTO ang kanilang mga lisensya dahil sa pagiging Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle at Reckless Driving,” the LTO said in a statement.

(Their driver’s licenses can also be revoked because of their reckless driving and being improper persons to operate a motor vehicle.)

The driver of the Toyota Fortuner will be also held liable for the charge of driving against traffic because his illegal counter-flow on the other lane.

The SCOs compelled the registered owners and drivers of the three vehicles to present themselves before the LTO central office’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) and submit their verified comment or explanation. They should explain why they should not be held accountable for violations such as reckless driving and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

“Inilagay na sa ilalim ng Alarm ng LTO ang Fortuner, Raptor at Hilux, na magbabawal sa anumang transaksyon sa mga sasakyang nasangkot sa road crash hanggang matapos ang imbestigasyon sa insidente,” the LTO added.

(The Fortuner, Raptor, and Hilux were also placed under LTO alarms to bar any transaction involving these vehicles that figured in a road crash until the investigation is finished.)

Lacanilao reminded motorists who engage in illegal counter-flow, reckless driving, and other dangerous driving practices that they are not just violating traffic rules, but are also endangering other people’s lives. — JMA, GMA Integrated News