MMDA Guide: 10 Must-Know Traffic Reminders for Every Driver

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has definitely been striving to change its image. Here's a list of reminders released by the agency via its website to make sure every motorist driving in Metro Manila is aware of his rights and of the things an MMDA officer can and cannot do.

1.  MMDA enforcers are not allowed to group together while apprehending a motorist. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of two or more, except in actual times of special operations (e.g. apprehending groups of smoke-belching/colorum buses).

2. Swerving is not a traffic violation. It is defined as a movement wherein vehicles shift from a lane to another. However, it can constitute the offense of reckless driving if it is done without precautions (e.g. swerving in an abrupt and careless manner, swerving without the use of signals).

3. A driver's license cannot be confiscated by a traffic enforcer during traffic apprehensions except on the following situations:

     a. The driver was involved in a traffic accident

     b. The driver has accumulated three or more unsettled violations

     c.  The driver has been apprehended for the following violations:

           - Allowing another person to use driver's license

           - Broken sealing wire

           - Broken taximeter seal

           - Colorum operation (cargo/passenger vehicle)

           - Driving against traffic

           - Fake driver's license

           - Fake/altered taximeter seal

           - Fake/altered sealing wire

           - Fast/defective/non-operational/tampered taxi meter

 

Click here to read more exceptions for a traffic enforcer to apprehend a driver.

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Read on for more exceptions for a traffic enforcer to apprehend a driver.

 

           - Flagged up meter

           - Illegal or unauthorized counter-flow

           - Illegal transfer of plates/tags/stickers

           - Joined/reconnected sealing wire

           - No driver's ID

           - Ignoring Organized Bus Route (OBR) interval timers (for second offense)

           - Skipping or bypassing designated OBR terminals or loading bays (for second offense)

           - Operating on contractual basis

           - Out of line operation

           - Overcharging (with or without conductor) (for the second offense)

           - Refusal to convey passengers to destination/trip-cutting (taxis and public utility vehicles)

           - Refusal to render service to public (taxis and public utility vehicles)

           - Tampered sealing wire

           - Tampered taximeter seal

           - Tampering of OR/CR/CPC and other documents (spurious documents)

           - Undue preference/unjust discrimination

           - Using motor vehicle in commission of crime

The above-mentioned administrative violations also require a minimum of two hours seminar (for the drivers) at the Traffic Academy.

However, any driver who has committed three or more unpaid violations, whether administrative or moving, shall also be subject to attending seminars, whose length shall be based on the results of the diagnostic exam (exam that will determine the contents of the seminar progress), which will be administered by the agency.

*Note: If the license is to be confiscated, the traffic enforcer should inform the driver of the reason/s for the confiscation and the ticket validity.

If the driver refuses to surrender his driver's license, his plate may be detached pursuant to Section 74 and 75, MC 89-105.

 

Read the full article on www.topgear.com.ph

Photo from sxc.hu