Department of Transportation forms TF vs reckless drivers

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has formed a special task force to review road safety policies, following alarming data on reckless driving, road crashes, and drug use among drivers.

Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon said the move comes as 671 drivers were suspended by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), including 97 who tested positive for illegal drug use in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The remaining 574 suspensions stem from road crashes that resulted in injuries or fatalities.

“Kung akala nila na walang gagawin ang gobyerno, hindi natin papayagan itong ganitong klaseng pang-aabuso. Hindi natin papalagpasin ito,” he said.

The task force, to be composed of officials from the DOTr, LTO, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), will review and recommend reforms to strengthen enforcement, licensing and vehicle inspection systems nationwide.

Among those sanctioned was a bus driver caught on video sideswiping vehicles in La Union. The license of Mark Louie A. Burgos of ESL Bus Company has been revoked, and his employer has been issued a show cause order (SCO).

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza emphasized the agency’s actions mark an unprecedented crackdown on unsafe driving practices.

“Road safety will not be compromised,” he said. “We are also issuing SCOs to 1,165 vehicle owners after inspections flagged their vehicles for roadworthiness issues.”

Mendoza said two specialized enforcement teams will be activated—one to monitor and act on drug-related violations, and another to target unregistered and visually unsafe vehicles on the roads.

The LTO also plans to retest professional drivers—particularly those operating motorcycles—at no cost to ensure they meet both theoretical and practical standards.

He said motorcycle riders accounted for 264 of the 574 crash-related suspensions last week, or 46 percent of all road crashes.

Mendoza said the agency is also tightening the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS).

“We expect our new equipment for inspecting buses and trucks to arrive in the next two weeks. Once deployed nationwide, it will significantly improve our ability to prevent fatal accidents,” he said.

Dizon assured the public that the government is serious about curbing dangerous driving behavior. “To our commuting public, I just want to let you know that we will protect you from these abusive drivers at sana po matuto na itong mga ito,” he said.