More than 10,000 erring motorists were cited for various traffic violations via the Metro Manila Development Authority’s no-contact apprehension system for the entire month of February to March 15 this year.
Based on a report released by the agency’s Public Information Office, the number of apprehended motorists in February reached 8,323, while on March 1 to 15, the agency has apprehended more than 2,000 motorists.
The no-contact apprehension system records traffic violations using CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras strategically placed along Metro Manila roads.
The last operations conducted last March 17 also resulted in the apprehension of 204 erring motorists.
Most of the violators were caught for overspeeding, illegal parking, disregarding the no loading and unloading zone, beating the red light, swerving, blocking intersections, disregarding traffic signs, making illegal turns, illegal overtaking, entering the yellow lane, defying the closed door policy and bus segregation scheme, motorcycle lane, among others.
According to MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos, “the no-contact apprehension scheme complements the insufficient number of traffic enforcers in the agency.”
Under the scheme, the MMDA will send summons or notice to the vehicle’s owner or operator to identify the driver of the vehicle during the time the traffic violation was captured by the CCTV camera.
The notice which will be sent to the owner or operator, contains the date, time, location and traffic violation. It also contains a statement that the motorist has the right to contest before the MMDA-Traffic Adjudication Division (TAD) within seven days upon receipt of the summons.
Within 15 days from receipt of the adverse TAD resolution, the driver may still file a motion for reconsideration. If the MR is denied, the driver may file an appeal before the Office of the Chairman where the decision shall be final and executory.
The drivers will not be able to renew the vehicle registration until the fines are settled.
Orbos hired deaf and mute individuals to assist them in manning the monitors of CCTV cameras installed on major thoroughfares used in the policy.
Since then, Orbos said, the apprehensions has increased from 70 to 280 on a daily basis since the agency hired the differently-abled individuals.
“These people are very good. It really works and very effective in assisting us in apprehending violators in the number coding scheme and other measures we are implementing,” he said.
The MMDA has a total of 45 personnel manning the Metro Base—five persons per shift in charge of monitoring footbridges for vendors, road incidents, traffic video wall operations while 10 persons per shift in charge of monitoring the operations of the no contact policy.
At present, there are 250 CCTV cameras installed in strategic areas in Metro Manila which the MMDA use to apperhend violators of traffic rules and regulations.