LTO Region 9 suspends licenses of Zamboanga street racers

Riders get maximum suspension time

The story of these street racers from Zamboanga has been a hot topic on social media lately. In their now viral video, they're shown racing illegally on public roads. The Land Transportation Office saw the video and issued them show cause orders to explain their actions.

After the hearing, which was attended by officials from both the LTO and Zamboanga PNP, it was decided that their driving privileges will be suspended for a maximum of 3 months. A recommendation to have their driver's licenses revoked will be forwarded to LTO chief, Edgar Galvante. Only the LTO chief has the power to revoke a driver's license under Republic Act 4136.

“We strongly recommend the revocation of their [driver’s] licenses,” said LTO Region 9 director, Atty. Aminola Abaton to MotoPinas.com. He added that they are now in talks with Zamboanga's City Council to push for the enactment of a city ordinance against street racing.

Yesterday, LTO’s executive director, Romeo Vera Cruz, told MotoPinas.com that the illegal street race was a “very irresponsible act” and that there are “dire consequences” for such a blatant disregard for traffic laws.

E.D. Vera Cruz also shared yesterday with MotoPinas.com that if proven guilty, these illegal street racers may be charged with Reckless Driving, which has a fine of PhP 2,000. However, due to the severity of their acts, the drivers involved may be declared by the agency as “improper person(s) to operate a vehicle” in accordance with RA 4136. That means, their driver’s licenses will be revoked, and they will never be allowed to apply for a new one nor drive a motor vehicle again.

Maximum penalty

For now, the LTO Region 9 has meted the three who were involved with the maximum 3-months driver's license suspension in accordance with existing laws. LTO Region 9 will “strongly recommend” to the LTO chief that their driver’s licenses be revoked due to their blatant disregard for traffic laws and the safety of other road users which they themselves filmed and uploaded on social media.

“This is a strong message from the LTO,” said Atty. Abaton, and hopes that this may serve as a lesson to all that the LTO is very serious about making our roads safer. The agency won't think twice about ridding the streets of traffic violators and kamote riders.