Tip Sheet

MMDA guide: 10 things every driver should know

24 Sep 2010 Printer-Friendly Version

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has definitely been striving to change its image. Here's a list of reminders released by the agency via its website to make sure every motorist driving in Metro Manila is aware of his rights and of the things an MMDA officer can and cannot do. 1. MMDA enforcers are not allowed to group together while apprehending a motorist. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of two or more, except in actual times of special operations (e.g. apprehending groups of smoke-belching/colorum buses). 2. Swerving is not a traffic violation. It is defined as a movement wherein vehicles shift from a lane to another. However, it can constitute the offense of reckless driving if it is done without precautions (e.g. swerving in an abrupt and careless manner, swerving without the use of signals). 3. A driver's license cannot be confiscated by a traffic enforcer during traffic apprehensions except on the following situations: - The driver was involved in a traffic accident - The driver has accumulated three or more unsettled violations - The driver has been apprehended for the following violations: Allowing another person to use driver's license Broken sealing wire Broken taximeter seal Colorum operation (cargo/passenger vehicle) Driving against traffic Fake driver's license Fake/altered taximeter seal Fake/altered sealing wire Fast/defective/non-operational/tampered taxi meter Flagged up meter Illegal or unauthorized counter-flow

Illegal transfer of plates/tags/stickers Joined/reconnected sealing wire No driver's ID Ignoring Organized Bus Route (OBR) interval timers (for second offense) Skipping or bypassing designated OBR terminals or loading bays (for second offense) Operating on contractual basis Out of line operation Overcharging (with or without conductor) (for the second offense) Refusal to convey passengers to destination/trip-cutting (taxis and public utility vehicles) Refusal to render service to public (taxis and public utility vehicles) Tampered sealing wire Tampered taximeter seal Tampering of OR/CR/CPC and other documents (spurious documents) Undue preference/unjust discrimination Using motor vehicle in commission of crime

The above-mentioned administrative violations also require a minimum of two hours seminar (for the drivers) at the Traffic Academy. However, any driver who has committed three or more unpaid violations, whether administrative or moving, shall also be subject to attending seminars, whose length shall be based on the results of the diagnostic exam (exam that will determine the contents of the seminar progress), which will be administered by the agency. *Note: If the license is to be confiscated, the traffic enforcer should inform the driver of the reason/s for the confiscation and the ticket validity. If the driver refuses to surrender his driver's license, his plate may be detached pursuant to Section 74 and 75, MC 89-105. 4. Private vehicles are not allowed to use the yellow lane except when they are about to turn-provided that they start shifting lanes upon seeing the transition lane (broken white lines painted diagonally) that you can see around 50 meters away from an intersection. However, selective apprehension of private vehicles using the yellow lane is highly prohibited. The yellow lanes (first and second lanes in EDSA) are only for city buses. City buses are not allowed to go beyond the yellow lanes. If they do so, they will be apprehended for violating the yellow lane policy. Provincial buses are also not allowed to use the yellow lane. Instead, they are encouraged to use the third lane. 5. Each traffic enforcer has his/her own written mission order issued by the MMDA Central Admin. Apprehended drivers are free to ask for the apprehending officer's mission order, which includes his area of responsibility, time of duty and official function. It also indicates whether or not the enforcer is authorized to issue tickets. 6. Traffic enforcers should issue TVR (traffic violation receipt) in complete uniform, with visible nameplates. Traffic enforcers are instructed to accomplish the TVR without any delay or argument on the road, so as to avoid traffic congestion. 7. The apprehending enforcer is allowed to issue another TVR for towing fee. If the owner of the impounded vehicle fails to release his vehicle after payment of fine in the stipulated date, the impounding officer shall issue a separate TVR indicating number of days it has remained at the impounding area.

8. Before apprehending, the traffic enforcer should flag down the vehicle and lead it to the roadside where it will not obstruct the flow of traffic. Traffic enforcers should courteously inform the driver of his violation. 9. Traffic enforcers are not allowed to ask drivers to alight from their vehicles while the apprehension is taking place. Most importantly, traffic enforcers are not allowed to ask or receive bribe money. 10. During traffic apprehensions, the following can be considered as a valid driver's license: - ID Plastic Card - DLR/Temporary Driver's License - TOP (Temporary Operator's Permit) - International Driver's License - Foreign License The traffic enforcer should exercise extra diligence in verifying the veracity of the data or documents presented. Any traffic enforcer violating any of these guidelines may be reported to the MMDA. Letters of complaint may be sent to the MMDA via snail mail to Traffic Adjudication Board, MMDA Building, Edsa corner Orense streets, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City; or via email to email@mmda.gov.ph. Complaints should contain full details of an incident report, including the name of the apprehending traffic officer. Drivers involved in an argument with an MMDA traffic enforcer may call MMDA Hotline 136 or the MMDA Metrobase at 0917-561-8709 . The Metrobase may be asked to send inspectors to the place where the argument is taking place so proper investigation may be conducted.

Very Important Message: Kapag hinuli ka ng traffic enforcer at alam mong wala kang violation: 1. kunin mo ang mission order nila upang malaman mo ang kanilang area of responsibility, time of duty and official function; 2. "SWERVING" ay HINDI isang traffic violation. Tandaan: 1.Hindi maaaring kunin ang iyong driver's license maliban na lamang kung ikaw ay sangkot sa traffic accident o nakalikom na ng 3 o higit pang traffic violations. 2. Walang karapatan ang traffic enforcer na pababain ng sasakyan ang driver. Ipadala ang pangalan ng traffic enforcer at ang reklamo sa email@mmda.gov.ph