(Photo: Land Transportation Office)
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) to the owner and driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) after a viral video showed the driver operating it while standing with the door open on a public road.
In a statement on Good Friday, April 3, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said the act was a “gross violation of traffic laws” and posed serious danger to the driver and other road users.
“The driver was standing while operating the car and the door was open on a public road,” Lacanilao said in reference to the video.
According to the SCO, the driver must surrender his license for a 90‑day preventive suspension while the vehicle, a Toyota Raize, has been placed under alarm status while the LTO continues its investigation.
The SCO further directed the driver and owner to report to the LTO’s investigative division and “submit a formal explanation along with the necessary documents” to justify why they should not be penalized for reckless driving and for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
“The LTO warns that failure to participate will be considered consent to proceed with the investigation, and the case will be decided based on the evidence held by the agency,” Lacanilao said.