Kalibo driver ordered to explain school-zone crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas has ordered a motorist to explain his role in a road incident in Kalibo, Aklan, that injured an elementary school student.

LTO Region 6 Director Gaudioso Geduspan II, through the regional office’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit, issued a show cause order to the driver of a Suzuki Carry cab that struck the child on Osmeña Avenue in Kalibo on March 4.

The incident was captured on closed-circuit television footage.

The video showed the student crossing the pedestrian lane in front of Estancia Elementary School when the Suzuki Carry failed to stop or slow down and hit the child.

Geduspan said school zones and pedestrian lanes are “sacred spaces” for public safety.

“A pedestrian lane in front of a school is a clear signal to slow down and protect our children. We will not tolerate such blatant disregard for human life and traffic laws. The driver must explain why their privilege to drive should not be permanently revoked,” Geduspan said.

A report from the Kalibo Municipal Police Station said the vehicle was traveling from Banga–Kalibo Road when it hit the victim, who was already on the pedestrian lane.

Police said the impact knocked the child down and dragged the victim underneath the vehicle for several meters, causing physical injuries.

Geduspan said the incident may constitute reckless driving under Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which prohibits operating a motor vehicle without due caution, particularly in areas with pedestrian crossings and heavy foot traffic.

Under the same law, the LTO may suspend or revoke a driver’s license if the motorist is found unfit to operate a vehicle or has endangered public safety.

The driver was given five working days to submit a written explanation stating why no administrative sanctions, including license suspension or revocation, should be imposed and what measures will be taken to prevent a similar incident.

A show cause order is an administrative directive commonly issued by the LTO requiring a driver to answer alleged violations before the agency decides whether penalties should be imposed.

The case has renewed calls for stricter road discipline, especially in school zones where children are among the most vulnerable road users.

Geduspan reminded motorists to exercise maximum caution in school zones and said failure to yield to pedestrians, especially children, is a serious offense that the agency will pursue to the fullest extent of the law.