With the pilot run of the single ticketing system for traffic violations in a few Metro Manila cities starting early this week, motorists from Manila, Parañaque, Quezon City, Caloocan, San Juan, Muntinlupa, and Valenzuela should now be aware of how things work in the ticketing system that seeks to centralize traffic enforcement in the National Capital Region (NCR). (File photo: Manila Bulletin) Aiming to guide the drivers who will be affected by the changes during the first roll out, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shared what they need to know about the new ticketing system. Adopted by the Metro Manila Council last February by establishing the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, the system intends to “harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement to establish an effective transport and traffic management system in Metro Manila.” Officials also see it as a move to minimize corruption between the driver and the enforcer.

Common traffic violations

Under the new ticketing system, a number of traffic violations will now be fined based on the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023. To begin, the number-coding scheme violation will have a fine of P500; while disregarding traffic signs, obstruction, overloading, and defective motor vehicle accessories will be fined P1,000. Those who are responsible for illegal parking shall pay a fine of P1,000 if attended and P2,000 if unattended; while the ones violating vehicle bans will be fined P500 for tricycle ban, P2,000 for light truck ban, and P3,000 for truck ban. The dress code for motorcycles should also be followed as violators shall pay P500 on the first offense, P750 on the second offense, and P1,000 on the third and subsequent offenses. Meanwhile, failure to use seatbelt will have a fine of P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), and P5,000 with one week suspension of driver’s license (third and subsequent offenses); and so as driving without motorcycle helmet which has a fine of P1,500 (first offense), P3,000 (second offense), P5,000 (third offense), and P10,000 with confiscation of the driver’s license (fourth and subsequent offenses). In addition, the use of helmet with no ICC markings will be fined P3,000 on the first offense and P5,000 on the second and subsequent offenses. Reckless driving is fined P1,000 on the first offense, P1,000 with driver seminar on the second offense, and P2,000 with seminar on the third and subsequent offenses, while arrogance or discourteous conduct has a fine of P500 and driver’s seminar course. Anti-Distracted Driving Act or use of mobile communication devices and electronic entertainment gadgets while driving will also be fined P5,000 (first offense), P10,000 (second offense), P15,000 with suspension of driver’s license for three months (third offense), and P20,000 with revocation of license (fourth and subsequent offenses). Illegal counterflow, on the other hand, has a fine of P2,000 on the first offense and P5,000 in case of illegal counterflow caused physical injuries or damage to properties without prejudice to civil and criminal liability of the driver, registered owner or operator of the motor vehicle. Meanwhile, children are protected by the new system, as well. Failure to use child restraint system (CRS) with P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), and P5,000 with one year suspension of driver’s license (third and subsequent offenses); while the use of substandard CRS is also prohibited with a fine of P1,000 on the first offense, P3,000 on the second offense, and P5,000 with one year suspension of driver’s license on the third and subsequent offenses. Violation of Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act is also fined for P3,000 (first offense), P5,000 (second offense), P10,000 with one-month suspension of driver’s license (third offense), and P10,000 and automatic revocation of driver’s license (fourth and subsequent offenses).

Implementation

In terms of implementation, the authorized persons to apprehend and issue tickets to drivers are deputized traffic personnel from the MMDA, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and local government units of Metro Manila. Authorized traffic personnel will be given a handheld device which will be used in apprehension and ticketing. Such device can be used for printing citation ticket, validating and authenticating a driver’s license and vehicle registration, and checking if the driver has a demerit point or if the license or vehicle registration was suspended, canceled, or flagged, among others. To note, the single ticketing system uses Unified Ordinance Violation Receipt which features logos of MMDA, LTO, 17 Metro Manila LGUs, and unique serial numbers. It shall be recognized by deputized traffic personnel as a valid traffic citation receipt and temporary license in Metro Manila.

Violations

Violators may pay their fines in person or online by visiting the website of the MMDA, LTO, or the LGU where the ticket was issued. The platforms that can be used include Landbank, Maya, and GCash. Should a driver fail to pay after 10 days which is the allowable contest period, his/her license and/or vehicle registration will be placed on the alarm list and those who have a pending alarm will not be allowed to renew their license or register a vehicle unit they settle the amount. Meanwhile, a driver may contest or file a complaint for the violation issued against him at the MMDA Traffic Adjudication Board, LTO, or LGU where the ticket was issued.