Still shocked or not? LTO totals disappointing number of apprehensions, vehicles impounded in 2024
It’s that time of the year again, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has released its apprehension numbers for the year that was. In 2024, the agency tallied a staggering 639,323 total for apprehended motorists. As if that’s not bad enough, we can go ahead and add 29,709 impounded vehicles to last year’s stats. Are we even still surprised? The following info might be. Might.
2024 numbers of LTO apprehensions and impounding both higher than in 2023
Photo: Land Transportation Office
In 2023, LTO apprehensions went up to 529,439. At this point, we already know that 2024’s tally is higher than that, and it makes for an increase of 20.75%. Topping the list of the most apprehensions is CALABARZON. With a total of 109,159 in 2024, that makes for a deplorable increase of 144.11% compared to the 2023 total of 44,717. The second region with the most apprehensions is Cagayan Valley with 70,855 in 2024.
As far as increases in apprehensions go, the LTO also found Mimaropa to have had an increase last year. With only 14,079 in 2023, this climbed by 120.76% making for a grand total of 31,081 last year.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
Concerning the number of vehicles impounded, a total of 29,079 have been recorded last year. If you’re wondering, yes, this also increased compared to 2023 by a good 21.93%. In the previous year, impounds only went up to 24,366.
The increase – while not immediately synonymous with a higher number of irresponsible motorists – was attributed as a product of the LTO’s “intensified visibility of agency’s enforcers, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units” according to Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II.
“I commend our enforcers for going the extra mile in enforcing traffic rules and regulations. Most of them even went on duty at night and even in the wee hours in the morning just to enforce the law,” said Asec Mendoza.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
While we laud the LTO’s efforts, we also have to go back to something we mentioned earlier, and that is the reality that perhaps there were just a lot more irresponsible and incorrigible motorists on the roads last year. Given this case, we remain that there must be a better way of finding who to give a Driver’s License (and even an Operator’s and business license) to and to find ways of “trimming the fat off” by testing everyone who already holds licenses.
As we speak, it’s not unknown that many hold licenses born of illegalities and a corrupt system. Everyone must now go through the proper education to earn a license, so there is no reason to allow anyone who illegally acquired theirs to go on with their merry business as if nothing wrong was done.
Good job, LTO. This year, and in the many coming years, we only hope that you can and will do better.
