The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is seeking to raise by 100 percent penalty of traffic violations committed by motorists and public utility vehicle drivers traversing on Metro Manila roads to serve as deterrent.
MMDA officer in charge Tim Orbos said it is high time to increase “outdated” fines, for instance motorists apprehended for illegal parking is only fined P500 while motorists caught for number coding scheme only pay P300.
“Fines for all traffic violations have been imposed more than 10 years ago. It is not a deterrent anymore. Violators can easily pay penalty,” Orbos told reporters on Tuesday.
Orbos said they would raise the matter to the next meeting of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing body and policy-making body of the MMDA. The meeting will be held next Tuesday.
He said the enforcement of higher penalties as early as May once Metro Manila mayors that compose the MMC approve their call.
Orbos believes that stiffer fine can be a very effective tool for deterrence, citing that truckers now fear violating the light truck ban implemented along Edsa and Shaw Boulevard due to hefty P2,000 fine.
Aside from illegal parking of vehicles, other top traffic violations recorded by the agency include disregarding traffic sign, obstruction, unified vehicle volume reduction program, motorcycle lane, reckless driving, stalled vehicles, truck ban, and over speeding. (Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren)