LTO SUSPENDS LICENSE OF FEMALE DRIVER IN SUBIC ROAD RAGE CASE

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended for 90-days the license of a female driver of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) involved in a road rage incident at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

 “We already identified the driver of the SUV and she was already directed to submit a notarized explanation and was also directed to appear in the ongoing investigation of the LTO-Region 3,” said LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza.

“Personal kong tututukan ang kasong ito dahil ang ganitong asal ay hindi gawain ng isang matinong motorista,” he added.

The Show Cause Order (SCO) was issued by LTO Region 3 Ronnie Montejo.

An investigation showed the female motorist is a resident of Morong, Bataan while the SUV she was driving at the time of the incident was registered to a female resident of Makati City.

Both the registered owner and the driver of the Toyota Fortuner were directed to submit a notarized explanation seven days after they received the SCO.

The two were also required to appear personally at the Conference Room of LTO Region 3 for a hearing on March 1.

“Non-filing or late submission of the answer is deemed an admission of the allegations,” the SCO read.

“Failure to appear at the above-stated time, day, and place shall be construed as a waiver to be heard and to contravene the above- cited accusation, leaving this Office to resolve the case administratively and accordingly based on the available records,” it added.

The LTO investigation on the SUV driver is in connection with the violation of the Section 27 of Republic Act 4136  (Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle) which may also lead to the cancellation of the Certificate of Registration of the Toyota Fortuner if she was found guilty of the charge.

The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. on February 17 on Binictican Road within the vicinity of Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The Hyundai Eon was reportedly travelling on the road when the driver of the Toyota Fortuner tried to overtake but was later forced to suddenly stop.

The driver then vented her anger to the Hyundai Eon, which was reportedly being driven by a male senior citizen by repeatedly hitting it using reverse gear while the passengers were still onboard.

She then sped off the vehicle after the incident. 

According to Mendoza , the initial action and the ongoing investigation by the LTO are separate from the investigation being conducted by the local police for a case of frustrated homicide. 

“Pending investigation, the driver’s license of the SUV driver is preventively suspended for 90 days effective upon the receipt of this Show Cause Order while the Toyota Fortuner with MV File Number Z7N88 shall be put on the alarm list,” said Mendoza.

“Magsilbing aral na naman muli itong kasong ito sa ating mga motorista na walang mabuting maidudulot ang galit lalo na habang nagmamaneho. Lagi nating tatandaan na ang driver’s license ay isang privilege mula sa gobyerno na maaring bawiin lalong-lalo na sa mga ganiting kalseng asal,” he added.