An SUV was involved in a 12-car pile-up in Mandaluyong City just two days ago. In a statement issued last yesterday, the LTO announced that the owner and driver are already being investigated, with the latter’s driver’s license having already been suspended for 90 days. Numerous videos circulated on the internet showed a Toyota Land Cruiser ramming into vehicles and motorists causing massive damage and injuries.
Show Cause Order issued by LTO to driver and owner of SUV in Mandaluyong crash
Photo: LTO
Following the accident that involved no less than 12 vehicles, and several physical injuries, the Land Transportation Office has issued a Show Cause Order to both the owner and driver(s) of the Toyota Land Cruiser that plowed through private vehicles, a taxi, a motorcycle, and motorists and pedestrians in the corner of Shaw Boulevard and San Miguel Avenue in Mandaluyong on January 10.
Both individuals are summoned to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) along East Avenue, Quezon City on January 16, 2:00 PM. There were, allegedly, two drivers of the SUV during the incident.
Photo: Heart Response Team/Fire and Rescue Alert Responders
Both alleged drivers, as well as the owner of the SUV, are to submit their statements and explanations as to why they should not be slapped with a case of Reckless Driving and why the involved drivers’ licenses should not be confiscated given their being “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle”, under the Land Transportation Office’s rules, regulations, and laws.
As stated, the driver’s licenses of those who were reported to have been behind the wheel of the SUV have already been suspended for 90 days, and the drivers themselves must surrender them to the IID while the investigation is ongoing.
“Failure to surrender their driver’s licenses as required, any motor vehicle driven by them shall cause its impounding thereof,” said Renante Melitante, IID Officer-in-Charge.
Photo: Heart Response Team/Fire and Rescue Alert Responders
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “JayArt” Tugade weighed in on the incident, saying, “Ang insidenteng ito sa Mandaluyong City ay patunay lang ng pangangailangan na natitiyak na hindi tayo dumaraan sa shortcut kapag kumukuha ng lisensya at kung nagpaparehistro ng sasakyan [This incident in Mandaluyong City is proof of the need to guarantee that we do not go through shortcuts to acquire a driver’s license and to register a motor vehicle].”
“Importante na ang mga kuwalipikadong drayber lang ang mabibigyan ng lisensya at na-iinspeksyon ng mabuti ang sasakyan kung roadworthy o ligtas at pasado sa pamantanyan para ito makabiyahe [It is important that only qualified drivers are given driver’s licenses and vehicles are properly inspected and pass as roadworthy or safe according to standards for it to be used for travel],” Tugade added
It was estimated that 12 vehicles were involved in the crash, with 13 drivers and passengers injured as a result of the SUV ramming into vehicles after hitting a post on the center island along the busy roadway.
A good number of motorists not following the LTO’s rules have run rampant in the past year. Add to that the fact that so many supposed drivers behind the wheel acquired their licenses through fixers and other illegal means, then we have an immeasurable number of road hazards and accidents waiting to happen.
We hope more light is shed on this matter, and that the LTO issues a clear, concise, and just statement as to how they will go about investigating and penalizing those involved in this unnecessary damage to property and injuries to life.
