MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday summoned two drivers involved in separate incidents of road rage and vehicular collision.
In a statement, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II issued a show cause order (SCO) against the owner of a Toyota Vios that engaged in a heated argument with another motorist in Quezon City.
In a video that went viral on Wednesday, a grey Toyota Vios stopped in the middle of a road in Quezon City and accosted the driver of a vehicle he blocked.
In the SCO signed by LTO – National Capital Region (NCR) Director Roque Verzosa III, the registered owner of the car was asked to appear before his office on Jan. 17 and to provide a notarized affidavit as to why no penalties should be imposed.
The driver in the incident, Mendoza said, committed at least two violations based on an initial investigation -- obstruction of traffic as a result of the heated altercation and improper person to operate a motor vehicle which carries a penalty of driver’s license cancellation.
The LTO has also placed an alarm on the vehicle itself to ensure cooperation from its owner.
Mendoza warned motorists to keep their cool on the road, noting that road rage only worsens bad situations.
Meanwhile, another SCO was issued to the driver of an Isuzu boom truck that rammed at least two vehicles in Barangay West Triangle in Quezon City on Wednesday.
In another viral video, the Isuzu truck was seen to have rammed two vehicles that were stopped at an intersection.
After colliding with the two vehicles, the truck continued to roll until it crashed into a concrete plant box.
In the SCO also signed by Verzosa, the owner of the truck was asked to explain why he should not be penalized for reckless driving and violation of Republic Act 4136, particularly improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
The driver of the truck, a resident of Quezon City, was also asked to submit a notarized affidavit of his explanation of the incident that left at least two people injured.
“Please be informed that the Isuzu boom truck and the driver’s license will be placed on alarm pending investigation and imposition of appropriate penalty,” the SCO read.
The driver was asked to appear before the LTO-NCR office on Jan. 17.
“We want to hear the driver’s side of the story before any action would be done. But this early, this incident showed the necessity of ensuring road worthiness of any vehicle because what is at stake here is the safety of all road users,” Mendoza said. (PNA)
