Cops to go after drivers who don't use headlights

CEBU, Philippines – Drivers who invite accidents by driving at night with their headlights turned off be warned; your days are numbered.

Cebu City police deputy director Armando Radoc assured he will order the personnel of the Cebu City Traffic Group to intensify the campaign against public utility jeepney drivers who insist on driving without headlights at night.

This after he received complaints from broadcaster Bobby Inoferio, against drivers who seem to prefer driving in the dark, particularly PUJ drivers in Guadalupe.

The police official said the law provides that headlights shall be switched on after sundown if vehicles will be operated in roads to prevent possible collision or accidents.

Aden Belza, head of the Land Transportation Office-7 regional operations branch, said drivers who will not switch on their headlights can be apprehended and cited for reckless driving.

Under the new rates, drivers apprehended for reckless driving face paying a fine of more than P1,000 for a single offense.

Inoferio said aside from the failure to switch on their headlights, he also observed that many PUJs plying the Guadalupe route also do not have tail lights.

"Unsaon nga ang mga traffic enforcers nga anaa sa karsada dili man lang magtagad sa mga sakyanan nga dili magpasiga sa ilang suga mao nga daghan ang naanad lang," said Emerson Arcillas who drives a PUJ.

One traffic enforcer assigned along V. Rama Ave. explained that drivers are not afraid of CITOM personnel because most of them do not have Temporary Operators Permits but only citation tickets, meaning they cannot confiscate erring drivers' licenses. (FREEMAN)