LTO suspends license of female driver seen drinking in viral video

A viral video showing a female motorist sipping what appeared to be wine from a wine glass while driving her Mazda MX-5 prompted the Land Transportation Office to order a 90-day preventive suspension of her driver’s license.

The LTO said it also issued a show cause order against the motorist and the registered owner of the sports car to require them to explain why they should not be held liable for violating traffic laws.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said the female motorist was ordered to surrender her driver’s license. A hearing at the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division is set for Friday, December 12.

The show cause order states that the motorist and the car’s registered owner must submit the original documents of the vehicle during the hearing. They are also required to submit a verified or sworn comment explaining why they should not face administrative penalties for reckless driving and for driving while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drugs, a violation of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Lacanilao said the female driver will be required to prove that she was not drinking liquor while driving.

“Kailangan ding magpaliwanag ang drayber kung bakit hindi dapat bawiin o i-revoke ang kanyang driver’s license dahil sa pagiging improper person to operate a motor vehicle ayon sa umiiral na batas at regulasyon sa transportasyon,” Lacanilao said.

Lacanilao also directed the LTO-IID to place the Mazda MX-5 under an LTO alarm to prevent any transactions involving the vehicle.

The LTO chief warned that failure to attend the hearing or submit the required verified comment will be considered a waiver of the respondents’ right to explain their side, and that the complaint will be resolved based on the evidence at hand.