LTO to intensify campaign vs. drunk driving

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said that it will heighten its policy against drunk driving to prevent accidents this holiday season.

According to Ivan Mayrina’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the LTO Law Enforcement Service (LTO-LES) said that they would strictly implement RA 10856 or the Anti-Drug Driving Act.

Data from the LTO-LES showed that the LTO responded to 546 road accidents from January to October this year—nearly eight times the 73 road accidents recorded in January to December 2021.

Of this number, 489 drivers tested positive for alcoholic intoxication, compared to 68 in 2021.

“You can link that to speeding. Kasi usually kapag nakainom… less control sa motors sa katawan niya. So ang tendency talaga is to be involved in road crash incident. ‘Yung reflex niya nababawasan,” said LTO Law Enforcement and Adjudication Service Deputy Director Roberto Valera.

LTO enforcers and authorized personnel of the Philippine National Police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority can apprehend drunk drivers.

Those apprehended would be put through field sobriety tests such as the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, taking nine steps forward and backwards in a straight line, and doing a one-leg stand for 30 seconds.

If a driver fails at least one of the three tests, an alcohol breath analyzer will be used.

The limit for the analyzer test was 0.05% as required by law for safe driving.

But for professional drivers’ holders and motorcycle riders, it is recommended at 0%.

“’Yung 0.05% may effect na ‘yan sa brain mo. Kaya nga bagsak ka dyan eh kasi even if sanay ka nang uminom, kapag naka-0.05% ka na, mayroon na ‘yan bawas sa iyong motor skills, sa iyong judgment kapag nag-drive ka,” Valera said.

Failing the alcohol breath analyzer test is considered a violation of the law and is punishable by corresponding fines and imprisonment, according to the LTO. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA Integrated News