LTO, LTFRB call out viral bus driver for reckless driving on expressway

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have summoned a bus driver who was caught on video while driving recklessly along an expressway.

The two agencies separately issued show cause orders (SCOs) against the bus driver and the bus company that he or she is working for in the wake of the viral video.

The video showed the bus aggressively changing lanes and driving too close to an adjacent truck along the expressway.

In a statement, the LTO said it ordered the registered owner of the bus and the bus driver to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) for a hearing.

They were told to bring documents relevant to the bus and to submit a notarized explanation on why the driver should not be penalized for reckless driving and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The bus driver might have his driver’s license suspended or revoked as a penalty for his actions.

Meanwhile, the registered owner of the bus should explain why he or she should not be charged for employing a reckless driver and for breach of franchise.

The LTO said the driver’s license of the bus driver was preventively suspended for 90 days pending the resolution of the case, while the bus was placed under an LTO alarm.

It added that the respondents’ failure to appear or submit the required documents and explanation will be considered a waiver of their right to be heard, and that the LTO will resolve it based on the evidence at hand.

LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao reminded operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) that they have a special responsibility to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users.

“Walang negosyo o indibidwal na pwede balewalain ang mga batas trapiko – bawat iresponsableng galaw ay naglalagay ng buhay ng bawat motorista sa panganib, at ipatutupad namin nang mahigpit ang mga regulasyon ng batas trapiko para sa proteksyon ng ating mamamayan,” he added.

(No business or individual cannot disregard traffic rules – each irresponsible action endangers the life of each motorist. We will strictly enforce regulations and traffic laws for the protection of our citizens.)

The LTFRB, for its part, summoned the bus firm over the bus driver’s reckless driving.

“I saw the video and there is clearly a violation on the part of the bus driver. We are now investigating to determine if the bus was carrying passengers at the time of the incident,” LTFRB chair Vigor Mendoza II said in a separate statement.

He added that the bus driver’s behavior is unacceptable and that the driver will be investigated as part of due process.

The bus firm was ordered to identify and bring the bus driver in question to a hearing on February 25.

Both the bus company and the bus driver were told to submit a written explanation as to why they should not be held liable for the incident. — JMA, GMA Integrated News