STARTING today, road authorities will use closed-circuit television cameras in running after traffic rule violators in Cebu City.
City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom) Executive Director Rafael Yap said they will be using the city’s (CCTV) surveillance system installed along the city’s main thoroughfares to document traffic violations.
A screen grab of motorists in the act of committing traffic violations will be attached to a complaint sheet addressed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The LTO in turn will keep tab of violation reports which will be presented to motorists when they renew their motor vehicle registration or drivers license.
Erring motorists will be made to pay the fines for their violations before they get cleared to get their licenses renewed.
“We are asking motorists especially when along junction boxes not to violate traffic rules,” he said.
Yap explained the policy enforced starting today is not merely designed to increase revenue but to instill discipline among drivers.
The practice of using camera footage is already being done in Davao City and has significantly improved traffic enforcement.
Citom, he said, is also looking for a private towing company to replace Road Warriors Towing Services and One Stop Towing Services whose services were terminated by the city government in 2011.
Other programs that Citom is implementing this year include the rehabilitation of the city’s traffic lights to prepare for the Asean Summit next year.
Citom will also purchase P10 million worth of brand new vehicles that will include a tow truck, two patrol cars, four multicab vans and 24 motorcycles.
Yap said they were only waiting for approval of the Terms of Reference (TOR) so a study will already be made by a DOTC consultant to determine the project cost and the specifications for new traffic lights.
If possible, Yap said, Citom wanted the new traffic lights to be equipped with a countdown timer and CCTVs.
Cebu City has a total of 78 signalized intersections.