LTO suspends license of driver in Quezon mishap

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has temporarily suspended the license of the truck driver involved in a recent road crash in Quezon province, the agency announced Monday.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement that the temporary suspension was part of a show cause order (SCO) issued to both the truck driver and the truck operator.

The driver is required to submit a written explanation detailing why his license should not be permanently revoked for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, a violation under Republic Act 4136, also known as the LTO Code.

Mendoza also disclosed that the truck operator has been directed to explain why sanctions should not be imposed for employing a reckless driver.

The LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division has summoned the truck driver to a hearing scheduled for 16 May.

“The investigation is also aimed at checking if the truck operator is conducting regular maintenance of all its units,” Mendoza said.

Initial LTO findings indicate that the truck was traveling from Atimonan toward Plaridel town when it experienced brake failure while descending a downhill section of the road and subsequently overturned.

The hearing is part of the LTO’s intensified efforts against negligent truck drivers and operators following a fatal crash on the Katipunan flyover in Quezon City in December of the previous year.