LTO suspends driver’s license of female motorist videoed with wine glass while driving

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of the driver’s license of a female motorist amid a viral video that showed her sipping what appeared to be wine while driving her sports car.

In a statement, the LTO said it also issued a show cause order (SCO) against the female motorist and the registered owner of the sports car to compel them to explain why they shouldn’t be held liable for violating traffic laws.

A viral video of the female motorist showed her sipping what appeared to be wine from a wine glass while her other hand was on the wheel of her sports car, a Mazda MX-5.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao immediately issued a 90-day preventive suspension of the driver’s license of the female motorist. The female motorist was also ordered to surrender her driver’s license.

The LTO set a hearing at the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on Friday, December 12.

The SCO stated that the female motorist and the registered owner of the sports car should submit the original documents of the sports car during the hearing.

They should also submit a verified or sworn comment or explanation on why they should not face administrative penalties for reckless driving and driving while under the influence of liquor or narcotics drugs, a violation of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

In a report by Jun Veneracion on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, Lacanilao said the female driver will be required to prove that she was not drinking liquor while driving.

“Kailangan ding magpaliwanag ang drayber kung bakit hindi dapat bawiin o i-revoke ang kanyang driver’s license dahil sa pagiging improper person to operate a motor vehicle ayon sa umiiral na batas at regulasyon sa transportasyon,” the LTO said.

(The female driver should also explain why her driver’s license should not be recalled or revoked for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle as provided in our transportation laws and regulations.)

Lacanilao also ordered the LTO-IID to place the Mazda MX-5 under an LTO alarm to prevent any transaction regarding the vehicle in question.

The LTO chief also warned that failure to attend or to submit the required verified comment or explanation will be considered a waiver of the respondents’ right to explain their side, and that the complaint will be resolved based on the LTO’s evidence at hand. — JMA, GMA Integrated News