LTO to go after drunk, drugged drivers next month

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) intends to start going after drunk and drugged drivers, who will be criminally liable under a new law, by July.

LTO spokesperson Jason Salvador said yesterday they are still doing the information campaign even if the Anti-Drunk and -Drugged Driving Law (Republic Act 10586) has been in place starting June 1.

“Under the IRR (implementing rules and regulation), we have a month for the information campaign,” he said in an interview.

Salvador said they still could not start apprehending drunk or drugged drivers since they still had to procure the breath analyzing machines, each of which would cost around P100,000.

He said they have yet to bid out the procurement of the machines as they are waiting for the budget from the Department of Budget and Management and the Road Board. The funds would be sourced from the Motor Vehicle Users Charge.

He said the machines must be “police-grade,” meaning these should be able to record the driver’s name, license number and apprehending officer and must be able to print out the result.

“The printed result should be of the quality that would be admissible in court,” he said.

Under the IRR, the blood alcohol threshold before a driver of a private four-wheel vehicle is considered intoxicated is .05. For drivers of motorcycles and public utility vehicles, the level is 0.