Counterflowing rider almost pinned between SUV, truck in viral video

A counterflowing motorcycle was nearly pinned between a gasoline tanker truck and an oncoming sports utility vehicle (SUV).

According to Joseph Morong’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” the incident was captured in a now-viral video that has garnered one million views.

Instead of stopping, the SUV continued to move forward.

LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao said both parties may be held accountable for the dangerous situation.

“Kitang kita kasi dito, may mali ‘yung motor dahil nag counterflow sya. May kakaharapin sya, pero mali din naman ‘yung [SUV] driver. Alam niyang may mali ‘yung motor, gigitgitin nya para masaktan ‘yung motor. Huwag mo naman mo ‘yung power mo as SUV gigitgitin mo para masaktan mo ‘yung driver. wala siyang karapatan dun eh,” Lacanilao said.

(It’s very clear in the video the motorcyclist was at fault for counterflowing. He will have to face the consequences. But [SUV] the driver was also wrong. He knew the motorcycle was already in the wrong, yet he still forced it to the point of possibly causing harm.)

“Huwag mo naman gamitin yung power mo as SUV na gigitgitin mo para masaktan mo yung driver. Wala siyang karapatan dun eh,” he added.

(You should not use the power of your SUV to deliberately squeeze and harm another driver. You have no right to do that.)

The LTO has identified the registered owners of the involved vehicles and issued a show cause order directing the drivers to explain why they should not be charged with reckless driving and why their licenses should not be suspended or revoked.

The agency has ordered the two motorists to surrender their driver’s licenses, which are set to be suspended for three months while investigation is ongoing, and their vehicles have been placed under an alarm status.

Lacanilao said if the owners ignore the order, they will not be able to renew their vehicle registration due to the alarm.

If they fail to renew and are later apprehended by enforcers, their vehicles may be impounded.

The LTO official reminded motorists that while there are many traffic violators on the road, this does not justify causing them harm in return.

Lacanilao instead urged the public to report traffic violators by taking photos and videos of them. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News