THE owner of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after the SUV’s driver hit a bicycle and attacked its rider in a road rage incident Marikina City.
The incident went viral after it was recorded by a concerned citizen who posted it on social media.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said they issued a show cause order (SCO) to determine if the registered owner of the white Nissan Patrol with license plate NFY 4437 was also the driver of the vehicle when the incident happened.
A copy of the SCO, issued by LTO-National Capital Region director Roque Verzosa III, was already forwarded to the office of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
The registered owner of the vehicle was directed to appear before the LTO – NCR on October 3 and to submit a notarized affidavit that will explain why he should not be held liable for reckless driving, disregarding traffic sign, obstruction of traffic, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
Further, the SCO indicated that the registration of the vehicle would be preventively suspended for 90 days unless resolved earlier.
In the video, it can be seen that the SUV had hit the bicycle along Dragon St. near MG Square Auto Interiors. The driver of the SUV then alighted his vehicle at the pedestrian lane and he engaged the cyclist to a fistfight, which obstructed the traffic flow in the area.
“Parami ng parami ng mga ganitong kaso pero hindi magsasawa ang inyong LTO na aksyunan ang lahat ng ito dahil kailangan nating tiyakin na ligtas ang ating mga kalsada sa lahat ng road users,” Mendoza said.
“Magsisilbing aral ito sa ating mga kababayan na mabilis ang aksyon ng LTO dito at tiyak na may kaparusahan na ipapataw kaya kailangan na kontrolin ang galit dahil wala namang mabuting idudulot ito,” he added.
The LTO – NCR also warned the registered owner that failure to appear and submit an affidavit would be construed as a waiver to be heard and that authorities will be forced to resolve the issue based on available records.
Mendoza reminded drivers and motorists anew to be patient and show some respect when it comes to road sharing.
“Huwag init ng ulo ang ipakita natin habang nasa daan. Dapat nating igalang ang ating mga kapwa road users upang maiwasan itong mga paulit-ulit na road rage incidents,” the LTO chief said.
(MAIN PHOTO: Screenshots of the recorded video showing the road rage incident in Marikina City)