By Brian Campued
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for 90 days the license of the UV Express Service driver who rammed several motorcycles along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Friday, killing one rider and wounding several others.
In a show cause order (SCO), the LTO ordered the driver to appear before the office on Oct. 21 and submit an explanation why he should not be charged and why his driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked.
The driver is facing possible charges of “Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Multiple Physical Injury and Multiple Damage to Property”.
The LTO likewise directed the registered owner of the UV Express Service vehicle to appear before the office and explain why he should not be administratively liable for “employing a reckless driver.”
Upon arrest by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD)-Traffic Sector, the LTO personnel administered sobriety and alcohol breath analyzer tests on the driver.
In the SCO, the LTO said the driver “verbally admitted” that he had taken an “illegal substance” the night prior to the road rage incident.
“Bagaman negatibo ang resulta, sasailalim din ito sa drug test,” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said, adding that their Intelligence and Investigation Division will probe the incident.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – National Capital Region also issued a separate SCO, ordering the driver and the registered owner to appear before the office for a hearing on Oct. 28.
Meanwhile, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez underscored that public utility vehicle drivers must ensure the safety of their passengers as well as other motorists.
“Walang puwang ang mga ganitong abusado at iresponsableng driver sa kalsada. Numero unong responsibilidad ng ating mga PUV driver ang kaligtasan ng mga road user at komyuter,” Lopez said.
“Hinding-hindi natin hahayaan ang mga naka-inom, lalo na ang mga driver na gumagamit ng illegal substance na mag-maneho sa daan,” he added.
-jpv
