LTO Central Visayas warns motorists not to tailgate emergency vehicles

LTO-7 Director Victor Caindec | PHOTO: Cebu Daily News / INQUIRER.net

CEBU CITY — The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) has warned motorists not to tailgate emergency vehicles just to evade traffic congestion because this may result in accidents.

LTO-7 Director Victor Caindec, in a statement on Monday, said tailgating ambulances and other emergency vehicles is illegal as this could result in road mishaps.

Caindec has issued a subpoena against a media patrol vehicle based on a Facebook video post for alleged reckless driving and tailgating an emergency vehicle last May 16.

Tailgating happens when an unauthorized vehicle follows an emergency vehicle like ambulances to take advantage of the free lane access given by other motorists on the road.

In the LTO-7 video grab sent to local media, the patrol vehicle of XFM 88.3 Cebu was seen tailgating an ambulance along N. Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City.

The patrol vehicle was apparently rushing to cover a breaking news story.

“Under and by virtue of the authority vested by Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), the driver of the subject motor vehicle is hereby directed to appear before the LTO-7 Operations Division…,” Caindec said in his letter.

“Further, you are directed to submit a written comment/explanation why your driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked in connection with the above-mentioned incident.”

Caindec added: “For the safety of everybody, please don’t tailgate an emergency vehicle. It is illegal to do so.”

The Inquirer tried to reach XFM 88.3 Cebu for a statement but they begged off, saying they have yet to receive a copy of the subpoena from the LTO-7.

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