Bring back discipline

I have been waiting for this action for a long time. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended the licenses of 670 drivers who were involved in accidents or caught using illegal drugs this past Holy Week. They were suspended for 90 days and were issued show-cause orders to explain or give their statement. The license of the ELS Bus Co. driver, who was caught on video speeding even though passengers had begged him to slow down, was revoked. Some passengers were also unable to get off at their stops because of his speeding. That is just irresponsible driving, especially for a public utility vehicle.

I think that if video exists showing the fault or infraction of a driver, there should be no need for an investigation and the license should be revoked immediately. There are so many drivers today who are undisciplined, do not follow traffic laws and are short-fused. I'm sorry but most of them are motorcycle riders, "kamotes" as they are called. What Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon wants is to review the qualifications of new motorcycle riders. I think not just new license applicants but everyone. Not a day goes by that I don't see a motorcycle violating traffic laws. Counterflowing, riding without a helmet, entering one-way streets, ignoring a red light, you name it. Are they apprehended? Take a guess.

If a driver tests positive for illegal drugs while working, the license should be revoked immediately, especially he drives a public utility vehicle. You can't put the safety and lives of passengers in the hands of a drug user. If you know a pilot is a drug user, would you fly with him? The same goes for passenger buses, jeepneys as well as tricycles, taxis, and ride-hailing vehicles.

Sec. Dizon ordered the LTO, LTFRB as well as the DOTr to study the rules and policies for road safety and issuing new licenses. He thinks that the current rules and policies are ineffective resulting in so many accidents. Licenses should not be given to those who are outrightly unqualified. The LTO should also be monitored so that they do not just give out licenses. We need to restore discipline on the road or else accidents will be a daily occurrence or road rage incidents will increase that may lead to deadly consequences. With soaring temperatures, tempers are short.