Traffic group: Armored vans not spared from rules

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Transportation Office emphasized that no individual or group is exempted from traffic rules, even bulletproof money transport vehicles.

In fact, CCTO had recorded an average of 10 apprehensions in a week of armored cargo vans, which are used in transporting cash or valuables of commercial or banking establishments.

CCTO, formerly named as City Transportation Operations Management, recently requested a local banker’s club to call the attention of armored service personnel who do not observe basic traffic policies.  CCTO executive director lawyer Rey Gealon said the common violations include beating the red light, disregarding traffic signs, and counter flowing.

Even as the general public may perceive that this kind of vehicle is exempted, Gealon said “there is no such word as exempted in the enforcement of the Traffic Code of Cebu City.”

He said they have asked the Cebu Banker’s Club to remind armored service personnel to follow traffic rules instead of “blatantly violating them in the guise of security in the delivery and transport of money as they can cause vehicular accidents and breakdown of traffic law and order.”

CCTO sought the help of CBC President Maximo Eleccion on the matter following a complaint from Peter Go of Metro Cebu Road Management Volunteers who expressed concern over the attitude of some armored vehicle drivers who disregard traffic rules.

“This office (CCTO) shares the same sentiments with this group of concerned citizens. As the traffic enforcement arm of the city, we too have encountered several problems in the implementation of traffic related laws to these armored vehicle drivers,” reads the letter.

Gealon who drafted the letter stated that the drivers have been continuously running their vehicles recklessly, thus, putting other motorists in danger.

“While our office has tried our best to reach out to these drivers or the agency in order to inform and educate them regarding road safety, but we also need your help. Especially so that until now, even after your initial meeting with MCRMC, rampant violations continue to be committed,” the letter reads further.  Gealon said Eleccion has not responded to the letter yet as of yesterday.   (FREEMAN)