ILLEGAL U-TURN. A closed-circuit television of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shows a black Hyundai Tucson SUV making an illegal U-turn in an underpass in EDSA on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024). The Land Transportation Office and the MMDA on Wednesday (Oct. 9) filed appropriate charges against the SUV owner and the driver in the incident. (Screengrab MMDA CCTV)
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) to the registered owner of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) filed a complaint against its driver for making an illegal U-turn along an EDSA underpass on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the driver of the black Hyundai Tucson with plate number ZMM842 was “reckless and irresponsible as it did not only endanger his life but also of other motorists.”
“We already received a formal complaint from MMDA Chair Romando Artes regarding this incident and this is now the subject of our investigation. Our immediate response was to issue a show cause order (SCO),” Mendoza said.
According to the SCO signed by LTO-Intelligence and Investigation Division chief, Renate Melitante, the registered owner of the vehicle from Makati City was asked to appear before the LTO central office on Oct. 14 to shed light on the incident.
The registered owner was directed to bring with him the driver of the vehicle during the first hearing, together with their written explanation as to why they should not be penalized.
The driver is facing administrative cases for reckless driving (Sec. 48 of Republic Act (RA) 4136) and Obstruction of Traffic (Sec. 54 of RA 4136).
The vehicle has also been placed on alarm to prevent any transactions with the LTO while the case is under investigation.
In a separate statement, Artes said the driver in the incident showed “a sense of entitlement” and wanton disregard for the safety of other motorists.
“It could be even argued that what he did amount to criminal negligence owing to the clear breach of the most basic driving decorum,” he said.
In a letter addressed to the LTO, he asked for the imposition of appropriate sanctions against the SUV driver for disregarding traffic law, risking the safety of other motorists, and occupying the EDSA busway.
In a video posted by the MMDA on its Facebook page, a black Hyundai Tucson SUV was seen making a U-turn on an underpass along EDSA, forcing the vehicle to climb the raised pavement separating the two lanes and obstructing the flow of vehicles in the opposite lane.
The incident was captured by an MMDA closed-circuit television in the area. (PNA)
