LTO to ensure drivers' proper training, discipline after boy's death in road accident

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday vowed to ensure that all motorists undergo proper driver’s training and are fully aware of road safety and traffic rules to prevent a repeat of the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy who died after getting hit by a speeding vehicle in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

LTO chief and Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao gave the assurance as he ordered the issuance of a show cause order (SCO) against the driver and owner of the red Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck that figured in the road mishap last January 11.

“Ang pagkawala ng buhay ng isang bata dahil sa kapabayaan o kawalan ng disiplina sa kalsada ay hindi maaaring balewalain. Ang LTO ay determinadong tiyakin na ang bawat driver na nasa kalsada ay may sapat na pagsasanay, alam ang mga batas trapiko, at may respeto sa karapatan at kaligtasan ng lahat,” Lacanilao stressed in a statement.

(The loss of a child’s life because of negligence or lack of road discipline is something we cannot let pass. The LTO is determined to ensure that each driver on the road has enough training, has knowledge of traffic rules, and respects everyone’s rights and safety.)

“Hindi tayo titigil sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas upang pigilan ang mga ganitong trahedya. Ang bawat buhay ay mahalaga, at ang responsibilidad ng pagmamaneho ay hindi dapat tratuhin bilang biro,” he added.

(We will not stop in enforcing laws to prevent these kinds of tragedies. Each life is important, and the responsibility that comes with driving should not be taken lightly.)

The accident happened on January 11 along the South Road National Highway in front of the San Isidro Labrador Chaplaincy in Barangay Nabuslot, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.

Initial investigation showed that the driver of the pick-up truck hit the boy, who was then crossing the road using the pedestrian lane.

The boy died on the spot as a result of his severe injuries to the head and other parts of his body, the LTO said, adding that a video of the mishap also went viral on social media.

The LTO said the accident showed why it is important for drivers to be disciplined on the road and to be sufficiently skilled in driving.

“Kapag ang isang driver ay walang sapat na kaalaman sa mga batas trapiko, tamang paraan ng pagmamaneho, at respeto sa mga pedestrian, tataas ang panganib ng mga aksidente sa kalsada,” the LTO said.

(When a driver lacks knowledge in traffic rules, the right way of driving, and respect for pedestrians, there is a higher risk of road accidents.)

“Ang mga ganitong insidente ay patunay na ang kawalan ng propesyonal na pagsasanay at disiplina ay maaaring magdulot ng malaking pinsala, maging ang pagkawala ng buhay. Hindi lamang ito nakakapinsala sa mga indibidwal kundi nakakaapekto rin sa kaligtasan ng lahat ng gumagamit ng kalsada,” it added.

(Accidents like this are proof that the lack of professional training and discipline can cause damage and even the loss of life. This does not only cause damage or injury to individuals, but also affects the safety of all road users.)

The LTO’s SCO required the owner and driver of the pick-up truck to appear before the LTO – Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) at its office on East Avenue, Quezon City on January 16, Friday at 10 a.m.

They should submit a sworn comment or explanation why the driver should not be penalized for reckless driving, failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians, and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.

The owner of the pick-up truck will be also asked to respond to claims that the vehicle had unauthorized accessories.

The LTO also issued a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of the motorist behind the wheel of the pick-up truck, who is also required to surrender the driver’s license to the IID.

The agency added that should the respondents fail to appear or submit an explanation on that date, this means that they are waiving their right to be heard and that the LTO will continue its investigation based on the documents and evidence at hand. — JMA, GMA Integrated News