Overspeeding on NLEX? Watch out for ‘speed gun’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Overspeeding along the 84-kilometer North Luzon Expressway? Beware.

Armed with a "portable speed gun," a patrol team of the Traffic Management Corp. which manages the day-to-day operations of the NLEX, is now able to apprehend overspeeding motorists.

The "speed gun" takes a video of the vehicle whose speed is instantly registered and recorded. This information is then relayed to TMC personnel to alert them about the oncoming overspeeding motorist so they can flag him down.

The Land Transportation Office has authorized NLEX patrollers to apprehend traffic violators whose licenses will be turned over to the LTO.

The Manila North Tollways Corp. hired the TMC to oversee the traffic concerns on the expressway.

Nicolas Manalo, TMC vice president for operations, said they have only one portable speed gun at present but the MNTC plans to procure two more units.

Meanwhile, all overloaded trucks and trailers passing through the NLEX will be checked and apprehended starting today as part of a multisectoral anti-overloading campaign.

In a meeting with the Pampanga Truck Owners Association, the MNTC said the enforcement will include an information and education drive.

"We are implementing the law which was approved in August 2000. It is in the interest of all motorists that overloading is restricted along the NLEX and on all national roads, primarily for safety reasons," said Raul Ignacio, MNTC assistant vice president for project controls.