The Land Transportation Office (LTO) apprehended 639,323 motorists for various traffic violations in 2024, a 20.75 percent increase from the 529,439 apprehended in 2023, the agency said Friday.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II attributed the increase to stricter enforcement of road safety rules and regulations.

“Intensified visibility of our enforcers, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units, resulted in the increase of apprehensions,” Mendoza said.

LTO-Calabarzon recorded the highest number of apprehensions with 109,159, followed by the Cagayan Valley Region with 70,855.

Calabarzon saw a 144.11 percent increase in apprehensions, from 44,717 in 2023 to 109,159 in 2024. Mimaropa followed with a 120.76 percent increase, from 14,079 to 31,081.

“I commend our enforcers for going the extra mile in enforcing traffic rules and regulations,” Mendoza said. “Most of them even went on duty at night and even in the wee hours of the morning just to enforce the law.”

Nighttime operations targeted colorum vehicles and trucks violating road safety regulations, such as overloading and using worn-out tires.

Early Friday morning, LTO enforcers apprehended a delivery truck on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City for using worn-out tires, including one that was already busted. The driver also lacked the vehicle’s official registration documents (OR/CR) and was using improvised plates.