Following Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s call to the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and Land Transportation Office 11 (LTO 11) to strictly implement rules of pedestrian lanes in Davao City, LTO 11 moved to intensify its monitoring against reckless drivers.
Michael Ervin Yarra, hearing officer/TRO-Transportation Regulation Officer of LTO 11, explained that reckless driving means when you risk people’s lives and do not obey the traffic and pedestrian rules.
He said some drivers have been apprehended because they do not know how to yield or give way when pedestrians are crossing.
“Continue atong monitoring sa pag protektar sa atong pedestrians when it comes na magtabok sila sa atong pedestrian lanes. Everyday base sa atong ma-receive diri sa operations division naa gihapon mga drivers, motorsiko o four wheel na mga sakyanan, nga naay ma-apprehend tungod dili kabalo mu-yield or muhatag ug lugar pag mutabok ang atong mga pedestrians,” he said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.
He said this is based on Republic Act 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
“Karo kaayo didto na ang isa ka driver once na makakita nga na naay nagagamit sa pedestrian lane kailangan mu-yield or muhunong siya ug patabokon ang atong pedestrians,” he said.
He also said drivers should not use the sidewalk as a spot to overtake or park because it is for pedestrians.
Yarra also said they also apprehend drivers whose car tires are resting on the pedestrian lanes.
“Around 25 to 30 meters from the traffic light, naa na’y pedestrian lane. Dapat na estimate na sa mga drivers nga kung makita nila nga wala nay espasyo sa atubangan nila, pedestrian na lane na lang, dili na sila muabante aron pag naay mutabok na pedestrians safe sila makatabok,” he said.
Drivers can be apprehended and can be qualified as reckless drivers when they do it.
“Dili na muhulat ang LTO na naay mabanggaan or ma damage dinha before sila mudakop. It is expected na ang mga drivers aware sila na kanang pedestrian lane reserve na or tagaan ug priority ang atong pedestrians. Expected na sa LTO na ang atong mga drivers kabalo na ana. Kay pagkuha pa lang ug lisensya apil na sa ilang resposibilidad isip usa ka driver. Mao na dili na sila makarason nga wala sila nakabalo na bawal na, wala sila nakabalo nga naa diay na sa balaod kay dugay na nakabutang dinha,” he said.
The penalty for reckless driving is P2,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense with suspension; and P10,000 for the third offense with suspension.
