THE Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Davao Region plans to strengthen their enforcement of the Republic Act (RA) 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 as they will soon operate even at night to wee hours.
Jun Antonio, chief of the law enforcement unit of LTO-Davao Region, defended their side after their attention was called by the central office because of their low number of apprehension in terms of drunk driving, citing that the law enforcers only work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There were only few instances of drunk drivers that they apprehended during daytime.
“Sa Anti-Drunk Driving, we should also consider that LTO enforcers, our office hours is only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and usually these drunk drivers will have their happy time at night,” he said.
But Antonio said the Davao City Police Office-Traffic Group is active at night when it comes to enforcing the law to apprehend erring drivers.
“Actually, we were questioned by the central office because we only have few apprehension in terms of Anti-drunk driving so that is why we coordinated with the Traffic Group to Colonel Castillo and then we have initial plans to intensify the Anti-Drunk Driving,” he said.
Antonio added, “Very soon, we will go out on the roads at 10 p.m.”
They are also working out with the Commission on Audit (COA) to consider their working hours since the considerable overtime is only limited up to 10 p.m. However, based on their observation, the ideal time to conduct operation is from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Antonio said their enforcers are raising a lot of questions considering that this will be an overtime and thus will require overtime pay.
During operation, under the law, before a suspected drunk driver will be tested with the breathalyzer, a driver will be first subjected to field sobriety tests which include standing on one foot without falling, walking down a straight line, and following a moving object using only their eyes.
Motorists using a non-professional driver's license with blood alcohol content over 0.05 percent will also be jailed for a minimum of three months and will be fined a minimum of P20,000 up to P40,000.
In cases of damage to property, a fine of P100,00 to P200,000 will be collected with one year of imprisonment. If the violator committed homicide, they need to pay P300,000 to P500,000 and a perpetual disqualification of holding a driving license. Vehicles will also be impounded at the LTO office. (JCR)