The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has earned nearly ₱1 billion pesos from erring motorists in the first six months of 2024. According to news reports, that’s exactly a total of ₱986.5 million from the fines and penalties paid by motorists.

The amount reflects the poor compliance of motorists and vehicle owners to our land transportation laws, among them, registration of motor vehicles and obeying traffic rules. A total of 330,073 motorists were apprehended nationwide from Jan. 1 to June 30 this year for various offenses, the LTO data showed.

The large amount of fines and penalties collected also shows the dedication of the people in the agency. LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said: “The almost ₱1 billion collection from fines and penalties alone is a result of the hard work of our law enforcers and other personnel on the ground. We cannot achieve this without their dedication and commitment to ensure road safety.”

Late last year, the LTO launched a vehicle registration campaign after it discovered that some 60 percent of vehicles around the country were unregistered. Reports then said that “only 14 million out of the 38 million vehicles nationwide are registered.” A reason for the large number of unregistered vehicles was traced to the movement restrictions during the pandemic.

Fines and penalties of an unregistered vehicle are quite hefty, starting with the late registration fine which is about 50 percent of the registration fee. The penalties for being apprehended while driving an unregistered vehicle is high – ₱10,000.

The LTO portal has a long list of driving violations and fines, one which each motorist should read and keep in mind. Among the violations are those related to traffic violations which have become ordinary practices because they still happen and appear to be tolerated. Among these are the rules on parking and overtaking, simple rules that are seen as part of common sense.

Once a person starts to drive – or own – a motor vehicle, he or she should know the basic land transportation laws and the responsibility that comes with the privilege. Among those commonly known as basic rules are: A driver should have a driver’s license and that should be with the person while operating a motor vehicle; the vehicle registration and official receipt of registration should be in the vehicle. And yet, there are still violations – and fines imposed – on persons because of the absence of a driver’s license, or a certificate of registration, or both.

The large amount collected from fines and penalties include apprehensions due to violations of what most people call “the common sense rules,” especially that of registering a motor vehicle.

The campaign for registration of motor vehicles should continue all year as this ensures that the vehicles on the road have been checked to be road worthy. Emissions testing and a visual inspection of the vehicle is required before the renewal of registration. Or the owner can proceed to a private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC).

This step will not only check on engine emission but also on the other safety features of the vehicle.

One reason for owners to postpone vehicle registration is the time and cost of the vehicle inspection process. But that is part of the privilege of vehicle ownership – to comply with regulations on safety.

We all agree that road safety is a priority. We cannot allow another defective vehicle to change the lives of many people. We commend the LTO for its diligence in law enforcement that impels motorists to raise their level of awareness regarding motor vehicle registration and compliance with road safety laws and regulations.