The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced new measures to strengthen road safety measures and policy, with a focus on protecting pedestrians, LTO Executive Director Atty. Martin Ontog said.
LTO Executive Director Atty. Martin Ontog said that the agency is currently drafting a general memorandum circular that introduces a legal "presumption of negligence" against drivers involved in collisions in areas with expected pedestrian foot traffic, such as marked crosswalks and narrow roads.
"Hindi naman po sikreto na the past few months and days talaga pong tumataas ang pedestrian-related accidents," Ontog said.
"Mayroon po kaming dinadraft na memorandum of circular. Pangkalahatan na po ito. Hindi lang po for pedestrian lane, sa makikitid na daan, may mga jeep na nakahinto. Ang resonableng driver po kung siya po ay nag-exercise ng diligence, dapat aware na siya, dapat handa na siya… Isa po sa mga gusto naming imungkahi is ‘yung pagdedetermine o pagsasabi ng presumption of negligence," he added.
Meanwhile, the agency plans to implement a strict one-strike policy.
Drivers who fail to exercise "reasonable diligence"—such as failing to come to a full stop at pedestrian crosswalks—face long-term license suspension or permanent revocation.
“Sa unang pagkakataon, itataas natin o strict one-strike policy ang pagpataw ng revocation o matagal na suspension ng lisensya,” Ontog said.
Ontog added that the agency is increasingly relying on public-submitted evidence, such as dashcam footage, to hold erring motorists accountable for traffic violations.
While tightening enforcement on drivers, the LTO chief emphasized that road safety remains a shared responsibility, urging both motorists and pedestrians to adhere strictly to traffic rules and exercise heightened caution on public roads.
