Increase fines for top 20 traffic violations -Metro Manila mayors

CAMERA-READY MMDA traffic constable Cesar Detera Jr. in action and ready to take a “shot” against hotheads on the road. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The mayors of the Metro Manila have reached a consensus to increase the fine for the top 20 violations committed by drivers.

During the Metro Manila Council (MMC), meeting on Dec. 5, the mayors decided to “synchronize” the fines and set them based on the highest penalty set by a certain local government.

During the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s radio program on Sunday, Cris Saruca of the MMC secretariat explained cities would have a uniform fine for certain traffic violations.

Penalties imposed differ in each city, based on the traffic ordinance passed by the respective city councils.

The MMC is the policy-making arm of the MMDA, composed of the 17 mayors in the region.

Saruca cited how the fine for the top offense, violation of the closed-door policy for buses, would be hiked to P1,000 from the previous P150 if MMC resolution would be adopted by a city council.

Fines for the following violations were also recommended to be increased, based on the minimum penalties:

• disregarding traffic signs: from P150 to P500
• driving without license: from 750 to P1,000
• illegal or unauthorized counterflow: from P2,000 to P5,000
• illegal parking: from P200 to P1,200
• motorcycle lane: from P500 to P2,000
• no official receipt and certified registration: from from P150 to P500
• obstruction: from P150 to P500
• reckless driving, second offense: from P750 to P2,000
• reckless driving, third offense: from P1,000 to P2,000
• stalled vehicle: from P500 to P2,000
• truck ban: from P500 to P2,000
• unregistered motor vehicle: from P450 to P5,000
• number coding: P500 (fine is different from each city)
• no loading-unloading: from P150 to P750

–Dexter Cabalza