ILOILO — Being sober is not enough to guarantee safe driving.
Fatigue, illness and poor physical condition can also compromise a motorist’s judgment and reaction time, prompting the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 to emphasize driver fitness as a critical safeguard against road accidents.
LTO-6 regional director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II urged motorists to assess their physical condition before taking the wheel, warning that impaired alertness and delayed reactions could endanger not only drivers but also passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
The reminder forms part of the agency’s broader road safety advocacy, which extends beyond the intensified enforcement operations during the recent All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day observance.
The dangers of impaired driving were underscored by an October 31 collision in Iloilo involving a motorcycle rider who allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol.
The rider collided with a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), leaving scratches along its left side.
Responding police officers observed signs of intoxication, prompting LTO-6 enforcers to conduct field sobriety testing.
LTO-6 Regional Law Enforcement Section chief Jetster T. Mandadero supervised the examination, followed by a quantitative breathalyzer test.
The rider registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.228 percent, exceeding the legal limit under Republic Act No. 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.
Enforcers issued a Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) and impounded the motorcycle. Criminal and administrative charges are being prepared against the rider.
Meanwhile, LTO-6 has intensified roadside and terminal inspections under “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026,” a special operation running from October 23 to November 4.
On October 31 alone, enforcement personnel inspected more than 1,000 vehicles, primarily public utility vehicles, and issued 86 TOPs for various traffic and safety violations.
These included 16 apprehensions involving unauthorized or “colorum” passenger operations and 30 violations involving unregistered motor vehicles.
Geduspan directed enforcement teams to maintain maximum visibility at major bus terminals, seaports and departure routes throughout Western Visayas.
The special operation’s first phase, from October 23 to 27, concentrated on terminal inspections, vehicle roadworthiness, franchise compliance and driver fitness.
Its second phase, from October 28 to November 4, covers cemetery access roads, memorial parks and major thoroughfares used by returning holiday travelers.
Apart from ensuring that drivers are physically fit, Geduspan reminded motorists to inspect their vehicles before traveling, particularly brakes, tires, coolant levels and engine oil.
He also encouraged commuters to patronize only authorized and properly franchised public utility vehicles./PN
