LTO starts crackdown on drunk drivers

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) started cracking down on drunk drivers yesterday after holding a dry run Wednesday night.

Police officers and some LTO personnel were deployed to Quezon Avenue to test the breath analyzers Wednesday night.

Among those they apprehended Joselito Mosikera, who was driving a motorcycle without a helmet. He underwent a breath analyzer test and was found to be drunk.

Since it was a dry run, he was not arrested.

The LTO started using breath analyzers yesterday after holding a workshop to train personnel in apprehending drunk drivers.

The crackdown is part of the implementation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

LTO spokesman Jason Salvador said at least 150 breath analyzers and drug test kits would be initially distributed in Metro Manila, Metro Davao and Metro Cebu, where drunk driving accidents were reported to be high.

According to the LTO, a non-professional driver who violates the law for the first time can be fined P20,000 to P80,000; jailed for three months and have his license suspended for a year.

A non-professional driver found guilty of a second offense will have his license permanently revoked.

A professional driver’s license will be revoked for the first offense. The driver faces the same fines and jail term as a non-professional driver.

A drunk driver who figures in an accident that results in physical injuries shall be fined P100,000 to P200,000 and face charges under the Revised Penal Code.

If the road accident results in death, the driver shall be fined P300,000 to P500,000 and charged under the Revised Penal Code. 

Non-professional drivers whose blood alcohol concentration exceeds .05 percent and motorcycle drivers and professional drivers with higher than .01 percent will be penalized.

Law enforcers can only use a breath analyzer after a motorist fails three field sobriety tests: the horizontal gaze nystagmus or eye test, the walk and turn, and the one-leg stand.

Salvador said a traffic enforcer must first explain why the motorist was ordered to pull over before the enforcer can compel the motorist to undergo field sobriety and breath analyzer tests.

A motorist who is ordered to undergo a breath analyzer test should ensure that the disposable mouthpiece is new to avoid false positives and for hygiene purposes.

There should be three copies of the breath analyzer test result – one for the motorist, the apprehending officer and the LTO.