Metro Manila Council President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said on Wednesday, Oct. 25, that the council has approved the increase of fines and penalties against motorists who still continue to defy the mandated rules and regulations in the use of the EDSA Bus Carousel lanes reserved for buses and other emergency vehicles only.
In a Viber message, Zamora posted Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Regulation No. 23-002, further increasing the prescribed fines for violation of the "Exclusive City Bus Lane/Bus Carousel Lane" regulation along EDSA".
"Despite the constant warning and reminders issued by MMDA that 'Exclusive City Bus Lane/EDSA Bus Carousel Lanes' are for the exclusive use of Public Utility Buses (PUBs), and exempt motor vehicles, it has been observed that many errant drivers of privately owned vehicles, motorcycle riders, and other unauthorized motor vehicles continue to disregard the police," the order read.
"At present, the prescribed fines imposed on drivers of motor vehicles, either publicly or privately owned, for the violation of the 'Exclusive City Bus Lane/Bus Carousel Lane' is One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) for each offense, hence to become an effective deterrent measure, there is a perceived need to increase the fines and penalties of its violation," it added.
The council explained that the following fines and penalties will only be implemented once the order has been published in two newspapers of general circulation and submission to the National Administrative Register at the UP Law Center:
1st offense - P5,000
2nd offense - P10,000 plus one month suspension of driver's license, and required to undergo a road safety seminar
3rd offense - P20,000 plus one year suspension of driver's license
4th offense - P40,000 plus recommendation to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for revocation of driver's license
If the violator refused to stop or attempt to escape authorities, the offense shall be "automatically treated as if it was his/her 3rd offense and shall be meted the penalty corresponding thereof."