Transport groups, council reach compromise on fines

Transport groups opposed the increased fines for traffic violations committed in Mandaue City in a public hearing called by the City Council on Tuesday afternoon.

The council and drivers later reached a compromise to lower some of the fines.

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and Councilor Elston Dabon are proposing to increase fines imposed on traffic violations committed in the city.

Their proposal includes raising fines for simple traffic violations like stopping in a no-stopping area from P200 to P500 while fines imposed on truck ban violations will be raised from P500 to P1,000.

Fines for other traffic violations will be increased from P1,000 to P1,500. Councilor Seno said the increased fines will help instill discipline among public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and compel them to strictly follow traffic rules.

Quoting survey results, Seno said 377,000 vehicles pass by Mandaue City everyday.

Glenn Antigua, head of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), said commuters have been complaining of inconvenience caused by drivers’s abuses which include trip cutting and overloading among others.

Under the proposed ordinance, erring drivers will be required to pay their fines within a period of seven days from their apprehension. Failure to do so would mean that cases will have to be filed against them in court.

Seno said they may extend the seven-day grace period when they pass the ordinance for second and final reading.

Impounded vehicles will be placed under the custody of a third party. These will be kept in an area that will be secured by blue guards who will be liable for its loss or damage.