Are we there yet? Mods and mud

Last Friday, a good number of petrolheads trooped to their local transport office, not to do business, but to show them how they felt about Joint Administrative Order No. JAO  2014-01 (Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violations of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation).  They came full force and honked their horns for one minute to show their disapproval of the recently passes  JAO.  For those who are not aware of what all this furor is about, let me enlighten you.

First, let’s talk about the  JAO.  This order was signed last June 2, 2014 and took effect fifteen days later.  The  JAO, as its title suggests, is a revision of the fines and penalties for violations of laws covering land transportation.  When the Philippine Traffic Law (Republic Act No. 4136) was drafted way back in 1964, it is understandable that the fines were only in the hundreds of pesos.  With the new JAO, driving without a valid driver’s license now costs you three thousand pesos.  But this, however, is not the reason why our bretheren petrolheads were up in arms over the signing of this  JAO. 

Recently, an image of the revised Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) made its rounds on the Internet.  Apparently, this new TOP shows how the government intends to curtail every single motorist’s freedom to improve the look and feel of their vehicles.  As per the violations outlined in the TOP, a motorist is no longer allowed to have excessive exhaust overhang, modified suspension, unauthorized body attachment (including roof racks), and improvised plates and attachments.  Apparently, one may think that the transport, licensing, and trade offices have been infiltrated by brain-dead communists as they want all our motor vehicles to look as drab and dreary as the day they came out of the dealership.  The violations they outlined in the TOP is supported by Article II, Section B (Unauthorized Vehicle Modification) of the  JAO, which states, “This includes change in color and other unauthorized modifications of the standard manufacturer’s specification not covered by the preceding Section A.”  Section A (Driving an Unregistered Motor Vehicle) states, “This includes driving with an improperly registered motor vehicle or a motor vehicle with expired, revoked, suspended or invalid registration, unregistered or fake substitute or replacement engine, engine block or chassis.”

For all the furor generated over this freedom-destroying law, I would suggest that we worry not about being apprehended.  Why?  As clarified by the licensing office’s spokesperson, any modifications done on your motor vehicle, as long as it does not compromise the safety standards of your vehicle, is allowed.  He further states that, part of the vehicle registration process is the safety inspection.  If the safety inspectors gave your vehicle the all clear, then you’re pretty much good to go.  Here’s the link to the actual interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU-yHccgMcE.  I would suggest that you download the video and keep it in your smartphone.  In case some smart aleck enforcer tries to tag you for any mods, show them the video.  And show them that your vehicle is duly registered.  That should leave them scratching their heads.  I am pretty sure they really have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into.

Another reason why we should not worry about this JAO is the “ten-second Tom” syndrome that plagues the law enforcers.  Maybe for the first couple of weeks these “enforcers” would be out on the street apprehending those who they perceive to be violators left and right.  Remember the helmet law enacted two years ago?  All these enforcers seem to have forgotten that law and even violate the law themselves.

If worse comes to worse, we can work together with the dealerships, car accessories and mod shops to declare the provision disallowing modifications illegal and unconstitutional.  Not only does it curtail our freedom to improve or augment our privately-owned motor vehicles, it also effectively puts a good number of legally operating, trade industry-approved shops out of business.  Selling lubricants, batteries, and spark plugs is only part of what helps keep these shops in business.  Vehicle accessories and modifications are their main bread and butter.

Apprehending motorist for asinine modifications like off-camber wheels and such, I can understand.  But for mods that make vehicles look, run and perform better, and more efficiently, those should not be declared illegal.  Just like the clamor of every single petrolhead, there are bigger issues that the transportation and licensing office should address.  From cleaning up their ranks, to strictly implementing road rules like one lane per one vehicle only (LTO Administrative Order 2008-013), these are items that these offices should concentrate on instead.

Besides, I don’t think Mr. Stateman’s red, luxury sports car would look good without the fancy mods and overhanging tailpipe. [email protected]