Unauthorized wang-wang, blinkers to be confiscated, drivers fined —LTO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday warned that unauthorized motorists who use “wang-wang” (sirens) or blinkers will face "consequences" under the law.

The LTO issued the warning after several reports of unauthorized vehicles using these devices on major thoroughfares.

"Motorists who are unauthorized to use wang-wang, blinkers, and other similar devices should remove these or face the consequences under the law,” LTO Officer-in-Charge Romeo Vera Cruz said in a statement.

Vera Cruz said that under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 dated June 2, 2014, the use of wang-wang, blinkers, or any improper or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts constitutes a violation, and shall be meted a fine of P5,000.

He added that the devices will be confiscated, and that the motorist will receive a corresponding demerit point on their driver’s license.

Vehicles that may be equipped with sirens and blinkers include law enforcement motor vehicles such as those of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, and police departments; fire trucks and fire department vehicles; and ambulances used by hospitals, clinics and medical centers.

The government officials allowed to attach and use sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices are the president, the vice president, the Senate president, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, according to Vera Cruz, citing the LTO Memorandum on Motorcycle Escorts and Unauthorized Use of Sirens and Blinkers, Markers, etc., dated July 23, 1998. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News