CEBU CITY – Intensified roadside inspections have led to the apprehension of more than 12,000 motor vehicles and motorcycles in the first five months of this year in Central Visayas.

Glen Galario, regional director of the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7), said the 12,243 apprehended motor vehicles and motorcycles from January to May were 37.21 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Galario said 8,914 vehicles and motorcycles were apprehended in the entire Central Visayas from January to May last year.
The figures were disclosed when Galario made the report to LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II during the 2nd Quarter LTO Regional Directors’ Conference in Quezon City.
The three-day conference, which started last Wednesday, June 5, was also attended by assistant regional directors representing 17 regions with their administrative chiefs, financial and management division chiefs, and operations division chiefs.
Galario added that as of May 31 this year, 36 colorum vehicles were impounded, compared to the same period last year with only 15.
He said the LTO-7 is strictly enforcing the directives from the central office which called for intensified roadside inspections to make sure that all vehicles plying Central Visayas are roadworthy.
Galario added that top violations as causes for apprehensions were failure to wear the prescribed seatbelt device, operating with defective parts, reckless driving, disregarding traffic signs, and failure to wear the prescribed seatbelt device for front seat passengers.