LTO cracks down on erring PUV drivers

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) cited 243 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers for a total of 483 traffic violations during the past two weeks, officials said yesterday.

Of the 243 erring drivers, 45 of them are members of the militant transport group Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), led by Efren de Luna, according to a report by LTO-National Capital Region law enforcement chief Fernando Fortes.

Fortes told LTO chief Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya that among those who were cited for traffic violations was Estacio Mañalac, president of ACTO Litex-Payatas Route. He was cited for violating Presidential Decree 96 after his passenger jeepney was found to have “glaring” stainless steel body components that could pose danger to motorists and pedestrians.

Among the more common violations committed by the 243 drivers are driving jeepneys without seatbelts installed, without a fare matrix posted on a conspicuous area, with defective lights or windshield, or that are unregistered or not covered by a franchise.

“We will not allow certain transport groups to push their weight around, using their so-called political clout to circumvent traffic laws and regulations. Our primordial concern is the safety of the riding public,” Berroya said.    – Perseus Echeminada