LTO chief issues safety tips for motorists during Holy Week travels

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MANILA, Philippines — In anticipation of mass land travel towards the weekend, the head of the Land Transportation Office shared some safety tips for motorists who are in for a journey amid the Holy Week break.

First, according to LTO chief Jay Tugade, a motorist should check their vehicle’s roadworthiness before setting out.

“How? By yourself or by a qualified mekaniko (mechanic), perform regular maintenance like oil changes, tune-ups, and battery and tire pressure checks,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

“This is especially important for public utility vehicles (PUVs). More than keeping to the schedule, drivers of PUVs are responsible for the lives of the riding public,” he added.

Tugade recalled that the LTO had caught a bus with bald tires and a broken light during an inspection at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange. The bus was barred from traveling.

READ: Holy Week travelers told: Don’t let public know no one’s at home

He also reminded motorists not to text while driving, citing the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, which penalizes motorists caught “using a mobile communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication or to make or receive calls, and other similar acts” or “using an electronic entertainment or computing device to play games, watch movies, surf the internet, compose messages, read e-books, perform calculations, and other similar acts.”

Violators of this law will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 for the third offense, plus suspension of driver’s license for three months.

Fourth-time law violators will face a revocation of their driver’s license and a P20,000 fine.

Tugade further suggested that drivers refrain from active conversations on the road since it could be distracting.

He likewise prodded motorists to abide by speed limits.

Under Republic Act 4136, or the LTO and Traffic Rules Act, the maximum allowable speeds are the following:

• On open country roads, with no “blind corners,” not closely bordered by habitations – 80 kilometers per hour (kph) for cars and motorcycles, 50 kph for motor trucks and buses
• On “through streets” or boulevards, clear of traffic, with no “blind corners,” when so designated – 40 kph for cars and motorcycles, 30 kph for motor trucks and buses.
• On city and municipal streets with light traffic, when not designated “through streets,” – 30 kph for all vehicles
• Through crowded streets, approaching intersections at “blind corners,” passing school zones, passing other stationary vehicles, or for similar dangerous circumstances – 20 kph for all vehicles

It is also important that drivers have enough sleep or rest before driving, according to Tudage. Drivers are additionally advised to avoid multitasking (i.e., eating) while behind the wheel.

An emergency box containing necessary items like a cellphone and car charger, first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, candles and matches, and non-perishable food items such as biscuits, water, and blankets is also highly advisable, the LTO chief said.

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