LTO warns vloggers breaking traffic rules for video content

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday warned content creators against spreading videos that show them violating traffic rules, noting that it recently issued show cause orders to several vloggers.

In a briefing, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao called on content creators and vloggers to be more responsible with the videos they post on the internet, warning them that the agency will take action through the issuance of show cause orders, revocation of drivers’ license, up to impounding of their vehicle.

“Do not challenge the LTO that they will not face action, because if what they are showing on video are wrong, we will not stop and we will really catch them,” he said.

READ: LTO revokes vlogger’s license after viral traffic violation

Lacanilao recalled a certain content creator who was issued a show cause order in February for driving without wearing a seatbelt but chose to ignore the summons. The driver’s license of the vlogger was eventually suspended following a resolution in March, but the individual continued to drive despite this.

“We caught them, because by driving, he was challenging the LTO. He was even posting videos of himself driving a motorcycle. So, we will really look for them,” he said.

Lacanilao clarified that the agency is not targeting vloggers and content creators, but stressed that they should not use their platforms to influence the public to violate the traffic rules.

Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo, who has been helping report erring drivers to the LTO, noted that it is now easier to catch those who violate traffic rules using social media as people will usually tag the LTO in the comments or post of videos of such incidents.

“There is a chilling effect but in a good way, because now [they think] ‘we have to get out of this,” he said in the same briefing. “The experience, the feel on the road now is different.”

READ: LTO summons vlogger in viral road rage video

Gustilo added that his group has been monitoring pages of content creators or vloggers that promote the violation of traffic rules and looking into the possible actions that could be made against them, saying that these accounts could be demoted, restricted, or completely taken down.

“They should not be imitated and, of course, our call for wannabe influencers is to use our platforms responsibly,” he said.

For his part, Lacanilao acknowledged that the participation of groups such as Digital Pinoys as well as the public in reporting drivers who violate traffic rules has been a big help for the agency, noting that the LTO has a shortage in personnel and equipment such as CCTVs.

During the briefing, the LTO also launched its “iReport Mo Kay LTO Chief” platform, which seeks to provide a centralized system for receiving and monitoring public complaints, reports and feedback. /jpv