ILOILO City — Traffic violations in Western Visayas surged by more than half this year, with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) recording 41,848 apprehensions from January to November, a 56.55% increase compared with 26,731 cases during the same period last year, driven largely by widespread seatbelt non-compliance.
LTO Region 6 data show that seatbelt violations topped the list, accounting for 9,861 apprehensions, underscoring persistent disregard for basic road safety rules among motorists and passengers alike.
Shiela Mae Alulod of the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of LTO-6 said other recorded violations included Republic Act No. 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 with 4,296 apprehensions; Republic Act No. 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act with 121 violations; Republic Act No. 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act with 42 apprehensions; and 72 colorum vehicles.
“Aton gid kamo gina-inform nga sa Anti-Distracted Driving Offenses dapat waay gid kamo naga-text while naga-drive. Dapat hands free so may ara kita pagsolundan dira. Palihug basa sang laye,” Alulod added.`
Alulod reminded motorists — particularly drivers of for-hire vehicles such as taxis — to strictly comply with traffic laws, warning that every violation carries corresponding demerit points. Accumulating 40 demerit points results in the automatic revocation of a driver’s license for two years.
She also clarified that passengers’ failure to wear seatbelts is recorded as a violation against the driver, not the passenger, when apprehended by LTO deputies or deputized agents.
Motorists were likewise advised to keep their documents readily accessible during roadside inspections.
Alulod said drivers must immediately present their franchise, driver’s license, and official receipt / certificate of registration (OR/CR), noting that a delay of more than five minutes in producing the documents can result in a failure to carry OR/CR citation.
“Dapat pirme gid kamo alert sa inyo documents. Dapat within your reach makita gid naton ang OR/CR, ang license nga ma-represent ninyo,” she said.
Taxi operators were further warned to ensure the proper use of taxi meters, as failure to do so may be considered a breach of franchise, which carries heavier penalties.
Alulod said the LTO continues to pursue its vision of zero road crashes in the region, acknowledging the challenge but stressing the need for collective action.
“Kaya naton attain kon magbinuligay kita because we believe nga ang road safety is a shared responsibility, indi lang sia reponsibilidad sang LTO, indi man na sia ang responsibilidad sang LTFRB. Tanan may ara kamo responsibility para ma-attain ang ginatawag nga road safety,” she said.
She added that the LTO is ready to conduct lectures and information drives upon invitation by transport groups to improve motorists’ understanding of traffic rules and regulations, emphasizing that the agency does not want drivers claiming ignorance of the laws they violate./PN
