The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the driver’s licenses of two motorists who obstructed separate Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) firetruck responses in Makati City.
The LTO announced Saturday the results of its investigation into the two incidents following hearings by its Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) after the motorists were issued show-cause orders.
The agency imposed a three-month suspension on the driver involved in the Macabulos Street incident in Barangay Bangkal, where a double-parked vehicle was seen obstructing a responding firetruck in a viral video.
During the LTO hearings, the driver involved in the Macabulos Street incident admitted that his vehicle was parked and blocking the road. He explained that the vehicle was being repaired, was placed on a jack, and had one of its tires removed, preventing him from moving it immediately.
"Inamin ng drayber na nakaparada ang kanyang sasakyan at nakaharang sa daanan, bagama’t ipinaliwanag niyang inaayos noon ang sasakyan, nakapatong ito sa jack at natanggal ang isang gulong kaya hindi agad mailipat," the LTO said.
The LTO found the driver liable for obstruction of traffic and parking in a prohibited place. He was also declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, resulting in the three-month suspension of his license.
Meanwhile, the driver involved in the second incident in Guadalupe Nuevo, who was seen apparently refusing to give way to a responding firetruck approaching from behind, was given a one-year suspension. He said he did not intend to block the firetruck but was unable to immediately find a place to pull over and allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
"Ipinaliwanag ng drayber na wala umano siyang intensiyong harangan ang fire truck at hindi lamang agad nakahanap ng lugar na maaaring pagparadahan upang ito ay makadaan. Gayunman, makikita sa video na may mga espasyo sa kanang bahagi ng kalsada kung saan maaari sanang pansamantalang tumabi ang drayber upang bigyang-daan ang rumerespondeng fire truck," the agency said.
However, the LTO said the video showed spaces on the right side of the road where the driver could have temporarily pulled over to give way to the responding firetruck.
The driver was found guitly of violating failure to yield the right of way to police and other emergency vehicles and obstruction of traffic. He was likewise declared an improper person to operate a motor vehicle, resulting in a one-year suspension of his license.
The two drivers surrendered their licenses to the LTO’s IID, while the vehicles involved remain under alarm status in accordance with LTO procedures.
LTO Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said the sanctions demonstrate the agency’s enforcement of traffic laws and accountability for violations. He also reminded motorists to remain alert for emergency vehicles and give way whenever it can be done safely.
“Paalala natin sa mga motorista na laging bigyang-daan ang mga emergency vehicle, lalo na ang mga fire truck na rumeresponde. Bawat segundo ay mahalaga dahil may mga buhay na maaaring nakasalalay sa bawat pagresponde,” Lacanilao said.
