MMDA targets vehicles with blinkers, sirens

While continuing to implement the government’s "no plate, no travel" policy, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also ask the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) to flag down vehicles with unauthorized blinkers and sirens passing through police checkpoints.

Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios of the MMDA-Traffic Operations Center (TOC) said yesterday they would seek NAKTF’s help in enforcing the strict implementation of the drive against the unofficial use of blinkers and sirens.

These devices are often abused by government officials, lawmakers and their relatives.

Vergel de Dios said they are set to meet with NAKTF officials within the week.

"We will propose that during their inspection they should also stop vehicles with blinkers and sirens."

The MMDA previously launched a campaign against the illegal use of these devices, which are reserved for police and emergency vehicles. However, the agency failed to fully implement the measure because their enforcers are hesitant to stop cars with sirens, especially if the driver is connected to politicians.

"If we just leave it up the MMDA to implement the program and flag them down, there might be instances when the owner would threaten our traffic enforcers," Vergel de Dios said.

The MMDA has pledged to fully enforce a 1999 Land Transportation Office memorandum that prohibits public and private motorists from installing and using glaring lights at night because this could lead to vehicular accidents.

"There should be no spotlights on the doorways of public utility buses because it could temporary blind commuters and other passing motorists. This is also true of fog lights," he said. "Unnecessary lighting devices could lead to serious road accidents."

The MMDA wants police manning the checkpoints to confiscate these lighting attachments and ask violators to pay a P500 fine.

"If they cannot confiscate these devices on the spot, they can impound the vehicle and then properly remove the lights, sirens or blinkers," Vergel de Dios suggested.

"These are unauthorized attachments and are not basic or necessary parts of the vehicle."