License of bus driver in SCTEx crash perpetually revoked — LTO
(PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE RED CROSS)
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office, has decided to revoke the driver’s license of the bus driver involved in the tragic Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) crash after he refused to take a drug test, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said.
Mendoza, in a press briefing on Monday said that the LTO has decided to perpetually disqualify the driver of the Solid North bus, who is being blamed for causing the multi-vehicle pile-up at the northbound toll plaza of SCTEx’s Tarlac Exit last May 1.
Ten persons died while over 30 others were injured after the bus rammed a van and a sports utility vehicle that were queuing at the toll plaza.
“We already revoked with perpetual disqualification the driver when he refused to take the drug test, that was already the signal for us under the law that we can revoke the license, and it will be perpetual disqualification,” Mendoza told reporters at the Department of Transportation office in San Juan City.
Similarly, the licenses of 98 bus drivers who tested positive for drug use during a random testing before the Holy Week break have been revoked too.
“(There are) 98 to be exact, ‘yong nag-positive sa drug test then after confirmatory, it was affirmed na talagang positive po sila and because of that we already revoked their licenses, revoked na po ‘yan with perpetual disqualifications na po ‘yan,” Mendoza noted.
(There are 98 to be exact, who tested positive during a drug test then after confirmatory (tests), it was affirmed that they really used illegal drugs and because of that we already revoked their licenses, that’s revoked with perpetual disqualification.)
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, warned bus and other public utility vehicle (PUV) companies that their franchises may be at risk if they field drivers whose licenses have already been revoked.
“Lahat ng nagpositive, revoked na ang lisensya, 98 ‘yon. So para sa mga drivers lalo na sa [PUV] companies, if you do not think we are serious, nagkakamali kayo, revoked na ‘yang lisensya na ‘yan. Pinapa-check ko sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) at saka sa LTO kung talagang hindi na nagmamaneho ‘yang mga ‘yan,” Dizon said.
(All those who tested positive, your licenses are revoked, that’s 98 licenses. So for drivers and especially for PUV companies, if you do not think we are serious, you are mistaken, we will revoke erring drivers’ licenses. I have asked the LTFRB and LTO to check if they are still driving.)
“Kapag ‘yan pinagmaneho pa rin nitong mga PUV na ito, o mga kumpanya ng bus company o kahit anong [PUV] company, pati prangkisa niyo ire-revoke namin,” he added.
(If the PUV companies still allow drivers whose licenses were revoked to operate, we will also revoke your franchise.)
Earlier, Dizon announced that he will sign a department order on Monday which will require PUV drivers to undergo mandatory drug testing every 90 days.
Dizon said he came up with the directive after hearing news that the Solid North bus driver involved in the fatal Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) did not want to be subjected to drug testing.
READ: PUV drivers mandated to undergo drug testing every 90 days – Dizon
Aside from the drug tests, Dizon said that the LTFRB will also reduce the number of hours that a PUV driver can drive continuously without breaks — from the current six hours to four hours.
For routes which will require over four hours, Dizon said that bus companies are now required to provide a backup driver, and not a mere assistant.
Regular road-worthiness of PUVs will also be conducted.
LTO also has taken action against abusive drivers, noting earlier that the driver’s license of social media personality Yanna has been suspended, while two other individuals who posted on social media their risky driving antics have been given show-cause orders.
Dizon said that they will automatically suspend driver’s licenses of people caught on social media disobeying and abusing traffic rules.
READ: Dizon: Abusive vlogger’s driver’s license suspended 90 days
The SCTEx accident is not the only incident that sparked concerns about road safety.
Last Sunday, a sport utility vehicle rammed passengers queuing outside of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 1, which resulted in two deaths.
