FOR THE LONGEST time, the Land Transportation Office focused its sight on middle income cars and those of older models because by sheer number, they can issue more tickets, legally speaking, or collect more fees from motorists.
But last Undas (beginning October 31 until November 2), the LTO accosted and impounded more Ferraris and Porsches. Although few own such luxury vehicles, they are sure to rake it in.
A story by Brando Rosales in Auto News said LTO’s latest moves aim to assure the public that laws are being enforced equally against every motorist, with no preference to social status or wealth.
This is a sudden shift from LTO’s posture of targeting the less affluent motorists like small-displacement motorcycle riders or drivers or those of older vehicles. “While framed as humor, the joke exposes a harsh and persistent reality that the law seemed to apply only to Juan dela Cruz,” Rosales said.
‘The LTO also issued a stern warning to every motorist that traffic laws are enforced equally for all, without exception, as well as emphasizing that obeying the law is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive.’
REGISTRATION INFRACTION
During the long Undas weekend, the LTO reported apprehending multiple luxury cars, mostly due to registration infractions, an example of which is last October 31, LTO flagged down two Ford Mustangs along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.
The LTO said both Mustangs had issues with their registration, and the respective drivers were issued tickets and had their licenses confiscated. The report, however, did not explicitly state whether these particular vehicles were immediately impounded.
The LTO continued its enforcement drive at the SLEX-CALAX rotunda in Biñan, where the team, personally led by LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao, apprehended what appeared to be a new Porsche Panamera. According to the agency, the luxury vehicle was immediately impounded and transported to the LTO’s head office in Quezon City, as the driver failed to present any necessary documentation or proof of registration, Rosales added.
NO LICENSE PLATE
The LTO continued its high-profile enforcement on November 2, when a yellow Ferrari 458 was flagged down along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). This model costs P 15 million in the Philippines.
According to the LTO’s report, the initial stop was for the vehicle operating without a license plate properly attached. Further verification revealed the driver was operating the high-performance car without a license, leading authorities to immediately impound the Ferrari.
We have observed the concerning presence of luxury vehicles operating on the road without proper documentation and in open violation of traffic regulations. This poses a significant risk to public safety, and we are taking concrete measures to address this issue.
A Honda Civic hatchback was also impounded and brought to the LTO head office in Quezon City after authorities discovered that the vehicle was unregistered and that the owner or driver had failed to report its engine change.
The LTO also issued a stern warning to every motorist that traffic laws are enforced equally for all, without exception, as well as emphasizing that obeying the law is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive.