The Land Transportation Office (LTO) earned nearly P180 million in 2024 in the strict implementation of the mandatory use of seatbelt among motorists across the country.
LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said a total of 134,147 motorists were apprehended from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 last year for violation of the Republic Act 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 and a total of 124,712 already settled the penalties.
He said the rest of those apprehended are either still contesting the violation or are yet to settle the penalty but so far, around P179.9 million were already collected as fine from the violators.
“This is proof that we are serious in implementing this law. We will further step up our operation especially that we are embarking on an aggressive campaign for the use of seatbelt this year,” said Mendoza.
“So we appeal to our motorists to strictly follow the law,” he said.
Based on the LTO data, LTO-Calabarzon has the most number of apprehended Seatbelt Law violators with 32,485; followed by LTO-Central Luzon with 10,774; and LTO- Western Visayas with 10,270.
Mendoza vowed to sustain the aggressive operations against Seatbelt Law violators as part of the LTO’s Stop Road Crash campaign but said the aggressive operation will be complemented by an equally aggressive information drive to encourage more motorists to use seatbelts.
“Our approach on this matter will be two-pronged: the first is on strict enforcement through the deployment of our enforcers and coordination with other law enforcement agencies. The second one is a massive information drive to make motorists realize the importance of wearing a seatbelt,” Mendoza said.
Under the campaign to promote the use of seatbelts, the LTO will coordinate with the local government units and tap the services of citizen groups and community organizations for the promotion of public safety awareness.
Transport groups, schools and other stakeholders will also be tapped to maximize the information and communication drive to increase awareness about the importance of seat belt use among drivers and passengers.