‘Clarity’ begins at home
The title is a twist on the phrase “Charity begins at home” and the point being if the government particularly MMDA, LTO and the LTFRB wants to drive home the need for motorists to follow the law, then they can make it as clear as day by starting with government drivers and vehicles. If authorities go after government violators and violations of vehicle standards with credibility, the public won’t have much to whine about because it is clear that even government is not exempted.
On the way to our home in Lipa City last Friday I happened to drive behind an AUV that first caught my attention because it was heavily tinted – as in the windows looked as if someone had painted them black. As I observed the vehicle as any driver would, I could not help notice that the plate number was unreadable. After a minute or two I realized that I was following a GOVERNMENT vehicle that was unmarked. There was no “For Official Use Only” and it did not have a logo or identification as to what agency or department or locality the vehicle belonged to.
That in itself is suppose to be a violation of some law or rules set by offices under the Executive department. The worst part of it all (and it is a very common practice involving government vehicles) is that the actual plate numbers were erased. This is often done by using rubbing compound rather than thinner, because it makes it appear that the numbers had faded when in fact it was rubbed out to avoid being “pictured” and to cover-up the unofficial or illegal use of government vehicles. This is now a common sight often done by employees of local governments and PNP officials who commandeer cars donated by mayors, corporations or businessmen and use them like their personal vehicles.
* * * If the MMDA and the DILG actually clamped down on heavily tinted vehicles, 90 percent of government vehicles would end up being stripped of their tints on vehicle windows. Just go to Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo and you will find that many “Official” vehicles as well as vehicles of officers are heavily tinted due to their hallucinations that they have many enemies or that it is part of personal security precautions. Go check out the Hi-Ace vans used by high ranking officer and you will see most if not all are heavily tinted.
* * * Since we are already on the topic of government vehicles, what is the Commission on Audit (COA) doing about all the unnecessary expense to have tinted windows, mag wheels, alarm systems etc. installed on government vehicles. I wrote about it once but obviously no one ever bothered to look into it. Many government offices both local and national have their vehicles brought to accessory shops for “the works” and if we add up the cost it would run into many millions of pesos. Is the COA unable to act on the matter because many of their vehicles are also tinted, with mag wheels and the latest stereos with the excuse that COA people need to travel all over the Philippines and need such accessories installed?
* * * When Chairman Tim Orbos came up with the idea of regulating heavily tinted vehicles, a number of our readers asked: “Why stop there?” Readers especially Senior Citizens are asking the MMDA and the LTO as well as the LTFRB to go after vehicles such as SUVs that have an excess of halogen and LED lights. Many SUV owners fail to realize or consider that their vehicles have higher ground clearance that automatically places their lights directly into the field of vision of oncoming drivers.
Other people have been complaining about motorcycles that have been installing LED headlights as well. Then there are the buses and trucks that have spotlights aimed to the rear of their vehicle to illuminate passengers as well as thieves climbing on unannounced. The problem is that the lights that protect the buses or trucks endanger all of the drivers behind them. Unfortunately, there has never been a news story or report of the LTO, HPG or LTFRB ever arresting those drivers. Counter point to the LED lights would have to be Jeepneys that don’t use their headlights at night!
The latest irritant in provincial highways and expressways are vehicles using LED flashers. They give the impression of an emergency, an official government vehicle speeding through or some secret arrangement that allows the vehicles with LED flashers to over speed on SLEX etc. The problem is that the LTO is a 9 to 5 agency regardless of the fact that so many violations are committed at night because criminals and violators know there are no Cops or LTO on the road!
* * * Meanwhile here is a shout out to the Management of SLEX/MATES. Kindly do something about drivers who refuse to give way on the fast lane, drivers who drive under the minimum speed of 60 kph particularly armored vans and overloaded delivery vans, and last but not the least, find a way of capturing and penalizing those spoiled brats or Demented Drivers who drive more than 150 kph. The combination of these three types of violators creates the perfect recipe for a deadly multiple vehicle collision.
Apparently, the SLEX-MATES management has not been called to task for allowing this situation to grow out of control and has not had a multi-vehicle – multiple casualty type of collision on SLEX and the Star toll. How many people need to die before SLEX and Star invest more time and effort on the problem? Parking patrol cars with “blinkers on” just to show your presence is actually more distracting and inconvenient especially at night when the blinkers and flashing lights can be blinding. Try doing some real work instead of siting inside air-conditioned offices and vehicles.
* * * E-mail: utalk2ctalk@gmail.com