The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has deployed additional field enforcers in major roads and other strategic areas in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

Macario Gonzaga, LTO-12 director, said Monday the move was aimed to ensure the strict compliance of motorists to various traffic regulations and maintain the observance of proper road safety practices during the period.

In coordination with the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), he said they have assigned personnel to monitor the national highways and roads in key urban centers.

Gonzaga said they have set a series of “one time, big time” enforcement activities as part of the continuing intensified crackdown against traffic violators.

During initial operations here over the weekend, the agency has apprehended at least 300 motorists, 70 of whom are motorcycle riders due to overloading and other traffic-related violations.

Among those apprehended were drivers of “colorum” public utility vehicles or those with franchise violations, tricycles plying the national highway, and those exceeding the allowed speed limits, he said.

He said they have also scheduled “one time, big time” enforcement operations in the coming weeks in other parts of Soccsksargen.

“This is to make our roads safer to commuters and motorists, especially during the holiday season,” Gonzaga told reporters.

These activities comply with a standing directive from President Rodrigo Duterte for the strict implementation of traffic laws and regulations to prevent road crashes and related incidents, he said.

In the city, the police traffic management unit reported that it currently responds to an average of five road crashes daily.

It said most of the incidents were due to reckless driving, overspeeding, and lack of road courtesy among drivers.

Gonzaga said they are hoping that these incidents will be addressed by the reforms implemented by the agency on the application and issuance of new driver’s licenses.

He cited the inclusion of the mandatory driver’s education, training, and assessment or screening of the license applicants.

“These were mainly adopted to ensure that our drivers are aware of the traffic laws and road courtesy practices, and will have proper discipline,” he added. (PNA)