LTO-6 bans four over viral tricycle stunt

By Gerome Dalipe

The Land Transportation Office–Western Visayas (LTO-6) has permanently disqualified four individuals from ever obtaining a driver’s license after they were caught on video performing dangerous stunts on a moving tricycle.

The clip, taken along Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Iloilo City on July 31, showed a man in briefs dancing on the tricycle’s roof while another passenger — wearing a Dinagyang headdress — clung precariously to the side.

LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II signed the resolution imposing the sanctions, saying the passengers’ conduct demonstrated “a clear lack of judgment and fitness to operate a motor vehicle.”

Four individuals involved were given a permanent administrative bar prohibiting them from ever applying for a driver’s license, and the tricycle driver received a one-year suspension of his license and was ordered to surrender it immediately, with Geduspan citing the driver’s “negligence in his duties as a public utility driver” for failing to prevent or stop the stunt.

Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu labeled the behavior a “blatant and dangerous disregard for traffic laws and public safety,” noting the incident violated Republic Act 4136 and Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, which prohibit allowing passengers to perform stunts that endanger life and property.

The driver insisted he was focused on the road and unaware of the stunts, but LTO-6 said that explanation was insufficient because public utility drivers are responsible for maintaining control of their vehicles and the safety of passengers.

LTO-6 said its action echoes national directives from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II to firmly discipline reckless motorists.