LTO flags SUV for over 300 busway violations

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the owner and driver of a Mitsubishi Montero Sport that was flagged for illegally entering the exclusive EDSA Busway lane more than 300 times since 2022.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said a show cause order (SCO) was issued against the vehicle’s registered owner, a Quezon City resident, after a request for assistance from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes.

“The SCO was our immediate response to the MMDA’s request regarding this repeat offender on the EDSA Busway,” Mendoza said. “We have already identified the registered owner, and our investigation will determine who was driving during the 307 violations.”

Of the 307 violations, at least 14 were recorded by CCTV cameras since the MMDA reimplemented the No-Contact Apprehension Policy last month.

The vehicle was last registered in August 2022, the LTO said. It has since been placed under alarm, which blocks all transactions involving the SUV pending investigation.

The SCO, signed by LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division chief Renante Melitante, directs the registered owner to appear before the LTO with the driver and provide a written explanation.

The driver faces multiple counts of disregard of traffic signs, obstruction, and a violation for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle under Section 27(a) of Republic Act 4136, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Meanwhile, the registered owner may be held liable for violating the compulsory registration of motor vehicles under Section 5 of the same law.

“Failure to appear and submit the written comments/explanations as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your rights to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” it added.

Mendoza assured the MMDA that the LTO will provide regular updates on the investigation.