The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday has urged motorists to take extra caution on the road as a large number of people are expected to hit the road to go back to their workplaces and schools over the weekend as the long holiday break ends.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said that he has already tasked all regional directors and heads of other LTO offices to ensure the presence of more enforcers on the road in order to assist in traffic management and enforce road safety rules and regulations.

“Our personnel, in coordination with other government agencies, will be on the ground to assist our kababayan on their way back to Metro Manila and other urban areas as the long holiday break ends,” Mendoza said.

“We expect a huge volume of motor vehicles on the road leading to Metro Manila and other urban areas so we have to make our presence felt in order to ensure the safety of everybody as they travel back,” he added.

Earlier, the Department of Health reported that there were more than 500 road accidents since the start of the Christmas break, with more than six people confirmed to have died as a result.

Last month, Mendoza also ordered a further intensification of the road safety campaign, including aggressive operations against trucks that are violating road safety regulations such as overloading and using worn-out tires.

As a result of these operations, which typically occur from evening to early morning on regular truck routes in Metro Manila and other areas, more than 25 truck owners have already been issued show cause orders.