LTO to deploy more personnel next year

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office is bent on deploying more personnel around Metro Cebu starting next year to discipline erring drivers, particularly those habitual offenders who just ignore traffic rules.

The officials of LTO Task Force Alpha —the only non-government organization authorized by LTO Chief Virginia Torres to assist LTO personnel in apprehending erring drivers— have decided to make their operations everyday starting January.

TFA officials will also recommend to LTO-7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos for the deputation of more personnel to augment the existing members who have already been issued with Temporary Operators Permits.

Only personnel with TOPs are authorized to confiscate the licenses of erring drivers. Confiscated drivers licenses shall be turned over to the LTO operations branch within 24 hours from the time of apprehension.

There was a suggestion for the creation of a motorcycle team tasked to run after drivers, particularly those of passenger jeepneys, who will not switch on their headlights at night and drivers of vehicles with defective tail lights.

Section 34 of Republic Act 4136 or the Transportation and Traffic Code provides that every motor vehicle of more than one meter of projected width while running on any highway shall bear two headlights, one on each side.

The law provides that the headlights and tail lights shall be switched on not later than a half hour after sunset and until a half hour before sunrise and whenever weather condition so require shall both be lighted to prevent accidents.

There are hundreds of CITOM enforcers deployed in different places of the city, but the LTO officials observed that they are not strictly implementing the law that requires the drivers to switch on their lights while running at night.

The law also states that additional lamps and lights may be installed in vehicles, but no red lights shall be visible ahead of the vehicle.

Trucks, buses, trailers and other similar vehicles must carry, while in use of any public highway during night time, colored lights on each of the four corners.   (FREEMAN NEWS)