LTO revokes license of Marilaque 'Superman' stunt rider

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the driver’s license of a motorcycle rider who performed a dangerous stunt dubbed the “Superman” along Marilaque Highway in Tanay, Rizal last month. 

According to the LTO, Rico Buyawan, the rider who survived in the viral crash video, was found guilty of being unfit to operate a motor vehicle after doing the stunt on a public road. 

“The driver’s license that the government is issuing to the motorists is a privilege that comes with a responsibility that those who would get it would observe road safety and be a responsible driver at all times,” LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement.

“Magsilbing aral sana ito sa lahat ng ating mga kasamang motorista, lalo na ang mga motorcycle rider, na hindi tamang lugar ang mga pampublikong kalsada sa mga ganitong gawain dahil ilalagay mo sa alanganin ang buhay ng ibang tao,” he added.

(May this serve as a lesson to all motorists, especially motorcycle riders, that public roads are not the right place to do such activities because lives of other people would be put at risk.) 

One rider was killed in the accident in January, after attempting the dangerous maneuver along a portion of the Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) Road. He was brought to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The video showed Buyawan and his fellow rider attempting the dangerous maneuver when they became entangled, lost control, and crashed into bystanders and other motorcycles parked on the side of the road. Six other individuals sustained injuries following the incident. 

The “Superman” technique is an exhibition where the riders would lie prone on the seat and  briefly raise their legs while traveling at high speed along the curved road.

According to the police investigation, the fatality had no driver’s license.

Meanwhile, Buyawan was found guilty of reckless driving and being an unauthorized person to operate a motor vehicle, based on the investigation report by the LTO Calabarzon, leading to the revocation of his driver’s license.

To avoid similar accidents, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said it would increase its personnel deployment, apart from the Tanay Police.

The HPG also warned motorists that they could face criminal charges if they engage in racing along the Marilaque Highway.

The Tanay Police said the town government is also looking into implementing an ordinance prohibiting bystanders along the road.—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA Integrated News