By Allysa Nievera and Alexandria Dennise San Juan
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will continue issuing show-cause order to Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) drivers who committed 3 or more violations per year.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
“Started looking over and issuing suspension to drivers who committed traffic violation for 3 or more violations per year and we are sending them show cause order to explain” LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said in an interview with CNN on Friday.
Galvante said drivers who have justifiable reason might have lighter sanctions but serious violations might have longer suspension.
“If they have justifiable reasons for the violation they might even get a shorter suspension or lighter sanction… but if there are more serious violation it may even mean longer suspension or even recall of their license.” he said.
Galvante said they started evaluating and issuing show- cause orders to PUV drivers last November 2019 after receiving the list of the drivers who violated traffic rules and regulations from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The assistant Secretary said they have sent show-cause orders to around 2,000 PUV drivers.
Galvante also said the suspension will start as soon as the driver is notified.
However, if suspended PUV drivers were caught driving again, Galvante warned that their license may be revoked.
"Their license may be cancelled. After knowing that they are supposed to answer for something (SCO) and they are not following this notice or caution they are bound to be given heavier penalties," he said.
The LTO chief admitted that suspending many PUV drivers might cause some inconvenience to commuters but reminded motorists that "it is in the rules so they have to follow, otherwise they have to face sanctions."
Meanwhile, Galvante said that PUV drivers with more serious violations will soon have to go through seminars before their license be reinstated.
"We have not started that (seminars) yet. We are firming up the topics that would be lectured on them, particularly the rules and regulations, and the laws that they should observe while they are driving on public roads," he added.