LTO to run after noisy bikes

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday said it will impound motorcycles that created noise because of modified mufflers.

LTO 7 Director Alita Pulga said changing the muffler of motorcycles causes noise pollution, a violation of the Joint Administrative Order ( JAO) 2014-001.

She said the public is complaining about the extreme noise created by motorcycles with modified mufflers.

Pulga said the erring drivers will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, with the motorcycle to be impounded right away.

However, even if the violators will pay the fine, the impounded motorcycles will not be released until it is returned to its original state.

Pulga said they are also running after habalhabal or motorcycles-for-hire because these are colorum vehicles that cannot be registered as public utility vehicle with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Pulga said that based on records, most incidents of property damage, deaths and injuries involved habalhabal motorcycles.

In most instances, Pulga said, habalhabal drivers and passengers connive with each other in claiming to be relatives once traffic enforcers flag them down.

So, LTO authorities focus on violations like unit modification, including the installation of mufflers and lights, and the lack of registration.

Pulga said some local government units (LGUs) passed ordinances to augment LTO’s rules and regulations.

SUNSTAR FILE DAYS NUMBERED. Habalhabal drivers may soon find themselves looking for another source of income after the LTO 7 says it will run after them since habalhabal falls under colorum vehicles.