Reducing fines for traffic offenses nearly impossible

CEBU, Philippines - Big fines for traffic violations are an essential part in disciplining drivers, thus, the petition to lower them is near to impossible.

This is according to Land Transportation Office Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan who was in Cebu recently for the 3rd Quarter Conference of regional directors.

“Yung pag-reduce ng traffic fines violations, malabong mangyayari kasi imposing high fines is something that should be done,” Tan said.

What can be discussed, he said, is how a particular provision of the controversial Joint Administrator Order 2014-01 is interpreted.

“What we can do if they have issues of a particular violation, on how it can be interpreted, yun lang ang pwedeng pag-usapan,” Tan said.

Earlier, Romeo Armamento, the national vice president of the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union, suggested during a “Transport Dialogue” here for LTO to lower the fines and penalties for traffic violations stipulated under JAO 2014-01.

But LTO Executive Director Emiliano Bantog, Jr. reasoned that since the implementation of JAO 2014-01 in July 19, the number of traffic violations nationwide has decreased.

He rationalized that this is because drivers have become more careful to avoid paying the high fines.

He said the JAO aims to instill discipline among drivers of public utility vehicles, prevent road accidents, ease the perennial traffic jams, and clamp down on unregistered or “colorum” vehicles, among others.

The order was implemented jointly by the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and LTO last July 19.

The three agencies are expected to come up with a final decision on the issues raised during the dialogue before October 17, 2014. — (FREEMAN)