For using blinkers, bike lane, SUV driver gets LTO show cause order

The driver of a sports utility vehicle is now in hot water after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a show cause order (SCO) against the driver for using an unauthorized blinker and allegedly attempting to use the designated bike lane to get ahead of a traffic jam.

In a statement, the LTO cited the Facebook post of Gabriel Go, head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Manila (MMDA) Special Operations Group. The post included a video which showed the SUV attempting to use the bike lane and with blinkers on.

Such actions, the LTO said, not only irked other motorists but could have resulted in an accident.

“Ang mga paglabag sa batas trapiko ay hindi lamang nagdudulot ng kaguluhan kung di nagbabanta rin sa kaligtasan ng lahat ng gumagamit ng kalsada. Ang bike lane ay inilaan para sa mga bisikleta at hindi dapat abusuhin ng mga ibang uri ng sasakyan. Bukod pa rito, ang mga hindi awtorisadong kagamitan tulad ng sobrang liwanag ng mga ilaw ay maaaring magdulot ng abala sa paningin ng ibang mga driver at maging sanhi ng malubhang aksidente,” said LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao.

(Violations of traffic laws do not only cause chaos, but only endanger the safety of all road users. Bike lanes are allotted for bicycles and should not be used by other types of vehicles. In addition, the unauthorized use of accessories like excessively bright lights can impair the sight of other drivers and cause accidents.)

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat ng mga motorista na sundin ang mga regulasyon sa trapiko at igalang ang mga karapatan at kaligtasan ng ibang mga gumagamit ng kalsada. Ang LTO ay patuloy na magpapatupad ng mga batas na ito nang walang kinikilingan para tiyakin ang ligtas at maayos na daloy ng trapiko sa buong Metro Manila,” he added.

(I urge all motorists to follow traffic regulations and respect the rights and safety of others using our streets. The LTO will continue to enforce these laws fairly to ensure the safe and orderly flow of traffic in Metro Manila.)

The SCO directed the driver and the owner of the SUV to present themselves before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on January 23 at 4 p.m. and submit a verified comment or explanation.

The explanation should justify why they should not be penalized for reckless driving; driving a motor vehicle with defective, improper, or unauthorized accessories, devices, and equipment; disregarding traffic sighs by using the bike lane, and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The SUV in question was also placed under an LTO alarm, while the driver’s license of the motorist was preventively suspended for 90 days.

The LTO warned that the respondents’ failure to appear and submit a verified comment will mean that they are waiving their right to be heard and that the agency will resolve the complaint based on the documents and evidence at hand. — JMA, GMA Integrated News