LTO logo. INQUIRER FILES
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) apprehended a total of 1,737 motorists in Metro Manila for the month of May. According to LTO National Capital Region Regional Director Roque Verzosa III, 420 motorists were caught violating Republic Act No. 4136, and majority of these were issued tickets for motor vehicle operating with defective accessories, devices, equipment and parts (193); disregarding traffic signs (44); and failure to carry an official receipt and certificate of registration while driving a motor vehicle (39). Meanwhile, 255 motorists were cited for not wearing seat belts and 57 others for not wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmets under Republic Act No. 10054. Based on the data of the LTO Management and Information Division, the most number of apprehensions under the single ticketing system was recorded in Quezon City with 7,842, followed by Parañaque City, 5,369 and Valenzuela City, 3,175. The pilot run of the new system designed to harmonize traffic violations and penalties across Metro Manila began on May 2 in seven cities, which included Quezon City, Manila, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Caloocan, Valenzuela and San Juan.—JANE BAUTISTA