The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned six owners and drivers of vehicles involved in an illegal sports car race in Tagaytay, a video of which recently went viral on social media. The LTO has branded the incident as an "act that endangers the lives of road users" and has announced strict legal measures.
Last Wednesday, the LTO announced that it had issued Show Cause Orders (SCOs) for the vehicles featured in the problematic video. The video shows a total of six sports cars—two Mazda MX-5s, a Ford Mustang, a Nissan Z, a Chevrolet Camaro, and a BMW M4—speeding recklessly on public roads. The owners of these vehicles are now obliged to explain their reckless and improper driving behavior, as per the summon orders signed by Renante Melitante, Chief of the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division.
LTO Assistant Secretary Greg Pua issued a statement strongly criticizing the act, saying, "What they did was clearly wrong. There are designated places for such activities. The government built roads for the convenience of the public, not for irresponsible drivers like them." He emphasized that all drivers are currently being identified, and the summoned vehicle owners must reveal the drivers involved in the race and appear together with them. "The registered owner of the vehicle may have been the driver, or someone else may have been driving. With clear video evidence, they will not be able to get away with it," Pua added.
The LTO has currently placed an "alarm" on all six vehicles involved, and as soon as the drivers are identified, their driver's licenses will be suspended for 90 days. This suspension will remain effective until the investigation is completed. These stringent measures demonstrate the LTO's resolute stance against reckless driving on public roads.
Pua warned drivers, stating, "Whether you drive a sports car, a motorcycle, or a tricycle, we will not tolerate such behavior on the road. Drive properly every day so you don't have problems with the LTO." This incident suggests that illegal racing is a serious offense that gravely endangers the safety of other road users. The LTO is expected to further intensify its crackdown on illegal racing and reckless driving on public roads in light of this incident.
This incident serves as a fresh reminder that public roads are not venues for racing but spaces for everyone's safety. Illegal racing is an extremely dangerous activity that can jeopardize not only the drivers' lives but also those of innocent citizens. If one wishes to test their vehicle's performance, it is advisable to use legal racing tracks or circuits. The LTO's actions are expected to send an important message to all drivers to adhere to road safety rules and establish a responsible driving culture. Continuous monitoring and strong penalties are required to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.
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