Traffic fines to increase

THE BAGUIO City Police Traffic Enforcement Unit (BCPO – TEU) will soon implement higher fines for traffic violators in the city following a recent public hearing seeking to increase traffic violation fines.

In a radio interview, BCPO-TEU Head Chief Inspector Oliver Panabang explained the measure, approved by the city council seeks to deter motorists from continuously violating traffic laws in the city.

“The ordinance created by the City Council to increase the penalties due to traffic violations under ordinance no.7 series of 1984 is a welcome development. Most of the violations we record in the city

are illegal parking, obstruction among others and the point of view of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies is that this will have an advantage once implemented but will not solve our traffic problem,” Panabang said.

Based on the public hearing, new penalties for illegal parking, obstruction and non-observance of traffic laws would be at P500. Prior to the approval of the new law, fines for traffic violations are charged at P150.

“What we are expecting once this would be implemented is the disagreement it will cause due to the new charges we will impose. And as early as now, we would like to inform the motorists about this and if they would not want to pay the penalties, then they should make all efforts to have their vehicles parked properly,” the Traffic Head stressed.

Drivers under the influence of liquor will be slapped a fine of P5,000 from the present P1,000 while driving without license will soon be fined at P2,500 from P750. Driving with an expired license will be fined P2,000 from the current P300.

“We think that the public hearing we attended regarding the proposed increase fines in traffic violations will be the last and I think it will be scheduled for publication,” Panabang added.