A TOTAL of 70 motorcycle drivers were arrested by personnel of Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) from June 19 to 30 for allowing children below seven years old to ride with them, BTAO records showed.
Superintendent Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, on Friday, 30, said yesterday most of the erring drivers were arrested near schools while transporting their children.
He said BTAO is strictly implementing City Ordinance No. 469, an ordinance prohibiting motorcycle riders from allowing a child below seven years old as rider.
For first offense, the violator was given a traffic ticket and a warning; second offense, issuance of traffic citation ticket and a fine of P100; and for third offense, a citation ticket and a fine of P500 with recommendation for revocation of driver’s license.
Acebuche said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is also conducting separate operations in various areas.
He said the LTO is imposing a higher penalties compared to BTAO.
“We are intensifying our operations against erring drivers to ensure the safety of the children. The parents should avoid transporting their children as tandem rider because we will arrest them,” Acebuche added.
BTAO also intensified its operation against trisikad and tricycle drivers plying the main thoroughfares.
Acebuche said several units were already impounded and the drivers were fined for being out-of-route.
City Administrator John Orola had earlier ordered the BTAO to intensify its operation against trisikad and tricycle plying along the Downtown Area, Circumferential Road, Araneta Street, and Barangay Mandalagan.
