LTO-CAR enforcers now use body cam

Baguio City, Philippines – Law enforcement officers of the Land Transportation Office-Cordillera Administrative Region are now using body cameras while on traffic duty for transparency and protection, the Philippine News Agency reported on Friday, July 16, 2021.

This is to record their apprehension of those violating traffic laws, making the execution of their job transparent while ensuring the protection of motorists against misbehaving enforcers.

Through this scheme, LTO-CAR will be guided when dealing with complaints filed in the office.

LTO-CAR Regional Director Francis Rae Almora said the office has initially procured 16 cameras to be used for enforcers while on duty.

“They wear body cameras because there are some sarcastic drivers who assert improper apprehensions especially for the seatbelt law,” Almora said.

He cited that there are instances that drivers, while being flagged down for the non-usage of seatbelts, only wear their seatbelts when enforcers are already approaching them, resulting in arguments, and motorists claiming to be apprehended illegally.

“When the enforcers approach the vehicle, the seatbelt is already connected and they argue for being illegally apprehended,” he narrated.

With this, the body camera, he added, shall also serve as protection for their personnel against sarcastic drivers and protection on accusations of illegal apprehension.

The Regional Director, when asked about penalties, stated that the amount to be paid by violators will vary depending on the type and classification of the vehicle and the violator, either the driver or front-seat passenger.

Drivers of a public utility vehicle having a passenger not using a seatbelt shall be charged P1,000 and if the passenger-violator stays at the front seat, the driver shall pay an amount of P3,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the driver, and P1,000 for its passenger.

For cases of repeat offenders, the amount to be paid shall be raised.

OTHER NEWS

169 traffic violations caught in Tabuk in a day

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information