Road rage driver’s license revoked for 2 years

Land Transportation Office Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II on Thursday afternoon announced that they have revoked the driver's license of the former policeman who figured in a viral road rage video with a bicycle rider in Quezon City on 8 Aug.

In an order dated 5 Sept, 63-year-old Wilfredo Gonzales was found liable for four traffic violations, one of them Section 27 (Improper Person to Operate Motor Vehicles) of the Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code that resulted in the revocation of his non-professional driver's license for two (2) years.

"Respondent-driver's acts of having no due diligence in driving, which caused the incident that resulted in the destruction of the property of the victim, is considered unacceptable behavior of a driver. Taken as a whole, his actions are tantamount to the acts of an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, which is punishable under Section 27 (a) of R.A. No. 4136," the LTO Resolution signed by LTO-National Capital Region director Roque Verzosa III and approved by Mendoza read.

"Respondent GONZALES is hereby declared as an Improper Person to Operate Motor Vehicles Sec.27(a) of R.A. No. 4136. Hence, his Driver's License which is valid until 07/08/2024, is hereby ordered REVOKED and he is DISQUALIFIED from securing a driver's license and driving a motor vehicle for a period of two (2) years from issuance of this Resolution," it added.

In revoking Gonzales' driver's license, Mendoza explained that the acts of the former "undeniably show that he abused such privilege and failed to comply with the conduct necessary for the continued possession and enjoyment of the said privilege."

"The grant of a license to drive is a privilege that carries with it important duties and responsibilities, paramount of which is the respect and obedience by its holder to traffic laws and regulations, and to the authorities charged with its enforcement. It is also presumed that the necessary knowledge and skills are possessed by its holder considering the respondent driver has undergone and passed the required competencies," said Mendoza.

"The Land Transportation Office issues a driver's license to a person who possesses not only the skills to drive but also a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to obey traffic laws, rules and regulations. A person with a driver's license is likewise expected to give due consideration to the other motorists and pedestrians and avoid committing acts that endanger lives, properties, and public safety," he added.

Gonzales received the Show Cause Order on 28 August or a day after the video of his confrontation with the bicycle rider, went viral on social media.

In the SCO issued by Verzosa, Gonzales was asked to appear in a hearing and explain in a notarized affidavit why he should not be held liable for violations that also include violation of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 (Disregarding Traffic Sign), violation of Section 54 of RA 4136 (Obstruction of Traffic), and violation of Section 48 of RA 4136 (Reckless Driving).

Gonzales, however, did not show up and was instead represented by his son. He also did not submit a notarized affidavit. This prompted the LTO-NCR to submit the case for Resolution.

In violation of Disregarding Traffic Signs, the LTO Resolution stated that Gonzales' move to encroach into a bicycle lane and block the driver as shown in the video made him liable for a fine of P1,000.

For Obstruction of Traffic, Gonzales was fined 1,000 after it was established that his actions resulted in the restriction of movement of vehicles in the area where the incident occurred.

For Reckless Driving, he was fined P2,000 as "there is substantial evidence that the respondent-driver is administratively liable for reckless driving" when he suddenly cut across the lane of the incoming cyclist.

Mendoza also explained that they did not permanently revoke Gonzales' license because permanent revocation is the punishment for incidents that cause death.

"Magsilbing aral sana ito sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na walang mabuting naidudulot ang init ng ulo sa daan. Kaya pinapayuhan natin ang lahat ng motorista na kontrolin ang galit dahil ikaw din ang talo dito," said Mendoza.