LTO summons SUV driver who left Pasay club with illegal blinkers on

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against the driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) who used unauthorized blinkers as the SUV departed a club in Pasay City.

LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao stressed that the use of blinkers, sirens, and other unauthorized accessories on vehicles are against the law.

“Ang mga hindi awtorisadong kagamitan sa mga sasakyan ay hindi lamang labag sa batas, kung di maaari ring magdulot ng panganib sa kaligtasan ng lahat ng gumagamit ng kalsada,” Lacanilao said in a statement on Tuesday.

(Unauthorized automobile accessories are not just against the law, but may pose a danger to the safety of other road users.)

“Hinihikayat namin ang lahat ng mga motorista na tiyakin na ang kanilang mga sasakyan ay sumusunod sa mga regulasyon ng LTO upang mapanatili ang ligtas na daanan para sa lahat,” he added.

(We urge all motorists to ensure that their vehicles follow LTO regulations so that our streets remain safe for all.)

The SCO compelled the driver and registered owner of the SUV in question to present themselves during a hearing of the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on January 23, 3 p.m.

They were ordered to submit a verified comment or explanation on why they should not be held liable for administrative offenses such as motor vehicle operating with unauthorized accessories or devices and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

In addition, the driver’s license of the SUV driver was preventively suspended for 90 days while the SUV was placed under an LTO alarm to prevent any transactions involving it.

Should the respondents fail to appear and submit their verified statement, they will be deemed to have waived their right to be heard.

The LTO will then resolve the complaint based on the documents and evidence on record. — JMA, GMA Integrated News