(File photo)
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order against television host Ian Red and the registered owner of a sport utility vehicle after a viral video showed him allegedly driving without a seatbelt and briefly stepping out of the vehicle while it was on the road.
The video showed Red behind the wheel without wearing a seatbelt as fellow television hosts Miles Ocampo, Ryzza Mae Dizon and Maine Mendoza filmed themselves singing inside the vehicle.
Near the end of the clip, Red was seen stepping out of the vehicle with the door open before getting back inside.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said motorists should never compromise road safety for social media content.
“There is nothing wrong with creating content and having fun inside a vehicle, but safety should never be set aside for it. As a licensed driver, he knows his responsibility to wear a seatbelt, stay focused on driving, and follow other existing traffic laws,” Lacanilao said.
The LTO ordered Red and the vehicle’s registered owner to appear before its Intelligence and Investigation Division on Sept. 29 and submit sworn explanations and supporting documents.
The agency is investigating possible violations of the seatbelt law and reckless driving rules. It is also looking into whether Red should be declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, which may lead to the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license.
The LTO imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on Red’s driver’s license while the investigation is ongoing. He was also ordered to surrender his license, which has been placed on alarm status, along with the vehicle involved.
