Proposal to catch traffic violators using cameras pushed

“BE aware now that there is an eye in the sky in Mandaue.”

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna posted this message in his Facebook account yesterday as a warning to motorists, who commit traffic violations in the city.

Fortuna, who is the presiding officer of the City Council, said that any moving violation captured in any digital media could be a basis for the apprehension of the vehicle’s registered owner, who can be traced from the vehicle’s license plate.

Fortuna’s warning will become a reality if the proposed “No Contact Traffic Apprehension” ordinance will be approved by the city council.

The proposed measure, which was discussed at the first regular session of the Mandaue City Council last Wednesday, was passed on first reading.

The proposed ordinance was in line with Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing’s plan to make the city into a Traffic Discipline Zone.

The proposed ordinance was sponsored by Fortuna and councilors Demetrio Cortes Jr., Carmelino Del Mar and Elstone Dabon.

The proposed measure was designed to catch traffic violators through closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and other digital media.

According to the proposed measure, lesser contact between the traffic offender and the traffic enforcer would prevent any altercation between the two, and even prevent an attempt to corrupt the traffic enforcer, or any chance of possible corruption.

The proposal said the city’s traffic body would partner with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board since they would have to search vehicle records of violators from both transportation agencies.

The registered owner of the vehicle who committed the traffic violation would be sent notices by Team personnel or through registered mail or courier services. Violators would also be given a chance to contest their violation.

If violators fail to pay the traffic fines then they would be included in the alarm list and a request would be sent at the LTO not to renew the violator’s motor registration unless the violator pays the traffic fines.

Geremias Duaman, a PUJ driver, said he was against the proposed ordinance since he believed that a traffic enforcer apprehending a traffic violator on the spot was the better way to catch violators.

Another PUJ driver, Gerald Algones, said he was for the proposed ordinance but the city needed to add more CCTVs so that not only traffic violators would be caught on camera but also snatchers.

The city has 78 CCTV cameras installed and connected to the City Command Center with the use of fiber optics.