Avoid drinking and driving amid holiday revelry, LTO tells motorists

Amid holiday festivities, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has urged motorists to refrain from drinking and driving to ensure their safety and that of the general public.

In a statement, LTO Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said it is very important to ensure safety on the roads, citing the potential consequences of violating the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

Mendoza highlighted the risks not only of legal consequences but also the alarming potential for accidents that endanger lives.

“Kung kaya naman iwasan ay huwag nang uminom at kung hindi talaga maiiwasan ay tiyakin na may magmamaneho sa inyo pauwi, or better yet, mag-commute na lang kayo (If you can avoid it, don’t drink anymore and if it really can’t be avoided, make sure someone drives you home, or better yet, just commute),” said the LTO chief.

He stressed that inebriated motorists must not force themselves to drive because it may be their last if they figure in an accident, causing their untimely demise.

Mendoza’s warning is consistent with Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista’s directive to guarantee the safety of all road users, especially because the number of vehicles is likely to increase during the holiday season.

The LTO chief said he had previously directed all regional directors and district office heads to maximize the information push and operation in carrying out the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.”

Per the LTO, the World Health Organization’s data on worldwide traffic accidents highlights the seriousness of the problem, resulting in millions of fatalities and injuries every year.

“In the Philippines alone, around 12,000 lives are lost each year due to road accidents,” it stated.