LTO issues SCO vs driver whose dangerous swerve threw passenger out of speeding jeepney

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order (SCO) against a jeepney driver for his aggressive maneuvering in Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City, which caused a passenger to be thrown out from his vehicle.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, a video uploaded online showed the jeepney suddenly swerving to overtake another vehicle. The high speed and sharp turn caused the passenger to be thrown off from the vehicle and sent rolling across the pavement.

The LTO has ordered both the driver and the registered owner or operator of the jeepney to explain their side regarding the incident. In the meantime, the driver’s license has been placed under a 90-day suspension, and an alarm has been issued against the vehicle.

“Patok” jeepneys, which have a longer chassis, than the average jeepneys and known for playing loud sounds, are common along Aurora Boulevard.

Commuter Marilou Castillo also had a bad experience with such jeepneys, hence, she prefers taking e-jeepneys.

“Nakahawak na ako, hindi pa nakaakyat. ‘Yung isang paa ako, nasa baba pa. Bigla siyang didiretsyo na aandar,” she recalled, prompting her to call out to the driver.

(I was already holding on, but I hadn't stepped up yet. My other foot was still on the ground. Suddenly, the driver just moved forward and sped off.)

For her, jeepney drivers must undergo a seminar by the government on how to be careful in driving.

Meanwhile, several students shared that they continue to patronize “patok” jeepneys because of the cheaper P11 fare, compared to the P15 charged by buses. However, the commuters noted that they are familiar with harrowing experiences involving these fast-moving vehicles.

“Minsan po umaandar na lang din po sila bigla nang hindi pa nakakababa ‘yung pasahero. Parang nakakahiya, nakakatakot din po,” one student said.

(Sometimes they just suddenly drive off even before the passenger has stepped down. It’s both embarrassing and terrifying.)

“Strict regulations lang po sa pag check-check sa mga highways po, sa mga kalsada para maiwasan na po yung ganung klase ng driver,” another student lamented.

(There just needs to be strict regulations and monitoring on the highways and roads to weed out that kind of driver.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News