LTO summons pick-up driver who picked fight with e-bike rider

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the driver of a pick-up truck who was caught on video while allegedly picking a fight with another motorist on an e-bike in Pasay City.

In a statement, the LTO said it issued a show cause order (SCO) against the driver and registered owner of the pick-up truck following a video of the alleged road rage incident, which was posted on Facebook.

The LTO said the incident may be considered as an instance of road rage due to the driver’s actions and unsavory words uttered against the other motorist.

The agency also found that the pick-up truck’s last registration was in September 2022, which means that the vehicle was not registered at the time of the incident.

LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao assured that they are determined to hold violators of traffic laws liable to ensure the safety of the country’s roads for all users.

The LTO ordered the registered owner and driver of the pick-up truck to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on March 19 at 2 p.m. to submit a sworn statement.

They should explain why they should not be held liable for driving an unregistered vehicle, for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, and other possible offenses that may be discovered in the course of the LTO’s investigation.

In the meantime, the driver’s license of the motorist will be preventively suspended for 90 days while the pick-up truck will be placed under an LTO alarm.

The respondents are allowed to seek the assistance of a lawyer.

The respondents’ failure to appear and submit their explanation on the day of the hearing will be considered a waiver of their right to be heard.

The LTO will then resolve the case based on the evidence at hand. — JMA, GMA Integrated News