MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against a driver who blocked a pedestrian lane in Makati City, forcing pedestrians to cross elsewhere.
“Ang pedestrian lane ay para sa tao, hindi paradahan ng sasakyan. Walang puwang sa kalsada ang mga motoristang inuuna ang sariling kaginhawaan kaysa kaligtasan ng kapwa (The pedestrian lane is for people, not a parking space for vehicles. There is no room on the road for motorists who put their own convenience ahead of the safety of others),” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said.
The agency issued the order after a video shared by the Facebook page “Silinyador PH” reached it.
The video showed a vehicle blocking the pedestrian lane, preventing one pedestrian from crossing and forcing others to cross elsewhere.
Lacanilao ordered an investigation to identify the driver and the registered owner, which led to the formal issuance of the SCO.
The driver and owner are required to appear before the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) of the LTO Central Office on Oct. 20 and submit their sworn statements, explain their side, and present documents that may help resolve the case.
The driver faces a possible violation of the right of way for failing to give way to crossing pedestrians and for stopping on the pedestrian lane, which obstructed those using it.
If the violation is proven, the driver may also be declared an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, which could result in the suspension or revocation of his license.
The driver is expected to surrender his license to the IID, which will be placed under a 90-day preventive suspension while the process continues. The vehicle has also been placed under alarm status. (Raymond Carl Dela Cruz/PNA)
