The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it has preventively suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of the driver whose car hit and dragged an enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) during a viral road rage incident in Taguig City.
LTO Chief, Asst. Sec. Vigor D. Mendoza II said the preventive suspension of the validity of the driver’s license is part of their ongoing investigation on the incident based on the complaint letter forwarded by MMDA Acting Chairperson Romando Artes.
“Hindi lang po preventive suspension, inilagay na rin po natin sa alarma ang pulang Hyundai Stargazer na may plakang NHF588 habang isinasagawa ang ating imbestigasyon tungkol dito (Not only we imposed preventive suspension, we also placed on alarm the red Hyundai Stargazer with plate number NHF588 while the investigation on this matter is ongoing),” Mendoza said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 30.
Based on police investigation, the red Hyundai Stargazer sideswiped a Honda Click motorcycle at the East Service Road near Philippine National Railways (PNR) Nichols Station in Taguig City last Aug. 27.
After being hit, the Honda Click moved in front of the Stargazer to block it as the Stargazer's driver seemed to be attempting to flee. The Stargazer then hit the Honda Click again, on its rear this time, before driving away.
A nearby MMDA traffic enforcer witnessed the incident and attempted to stop the Stargazer, but the driver ignored him and fled, according to police.
The enforcer then chased and intercepted the Stargazer, and even stood in front of the vehicle but the driver sped off which caused the traffic enforcer to be dragged and almost risk his life.
Mendoza said a Show Cause Order (SCO) was already issued to the lady registered owner of the Hyundai Stargazer, and to her husband who was driving the car when the road rage incident occurred.
“This is unacceptable. Clearly, there are serious discipline and behavior problems on the part of the driver,” Mendoza stressed.
In the SCO signed by Francis Ray Almora, director of the LTO Law Enforcement Service, both the registered owner and the driver of the vehicle were ordered to appear before the LTO Central Office on September 3 with their notarized comment and explanation as to why they should not be penalized.
The charges that were violated, according to the SCO, include Reckless Driving (Section 48), Failure to Comply with the Duty of Driver in Case of Accident (Section 55), and Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle (Section 27(a)) – all of which fall under the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
The driver of the Hyundai Stargazer was also ordered to surrender the driver’s license on or before the scheduled hearing on September 3.
Mendoza reminded motorists anew to be responsible and disciplined at all times, stressing that the license to drive is a privilege being given by the government, and therefore could be revoked any time in cases of violations of rules and regulations.