No-Contact Apprehension Policy To Include Private Vehicles

**Olive Drab** · July 3rd, 2003 07:28 AM

MMDA takes aim at
private vehicles
Posted: 4:54 AM (Manila Time) | Jun. 25, 2003
By Leila B. Salaverria
Inquirer News Service

MOTORISTS beware: Big brother is watching you.

The Metro Manila Development Authority will soon deploy more
camera-carrying traffic enforcers who will take pictures of traffic law
violators as part of the agency's no-contact apprehension policy.

The MMDA currently has 10 handheld digital cameras in use by its enforcers
and it will buy 50 more, Traffic Operations Center director Angelito
Vergel de Dios has said.

Vergel de Dios said they were buying more cameras because the MMDA would
already be including private vehicles in their hunt for traffic violators.

The MMDA started deploying photographers early this year to test the
no-contact traffic enforcement scheme.

Initially, taking pictures was limited to buses and other public utility
vehicles whose drivers violated traffic rules.

The photographs were mailed to bus operators along with a traffic
violation receipt and a summons asking them to pay the corresponding fine.

As this method is expanded to include private cars, vehicle owners will be
identified with the help of the Land Transportation Office and the summons
sent to the address listed in the vehicle's registration record.

Those receiving the summons must pay the fine nine days after receiving
the photograph of their violation.

If they ignore it, a general alarm will be sent out on their vehicle,
which means any law enforcement group can apprehend the vehicle and bring
it to the MMDA's impounding station.

The owner will only be able to retrieve the vehicle once he pays the fine
and the impounding fee.

Three weeks ago, the enforcers began snapping the pictures of private
vehicles with erring drivers.

Vergel de Dios said most of the private vehicles caught on camera
disregarded the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or the number
coding scheme.

MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando earlier said the use of cameras in traffic
enforcement was not only meant to discipline drivers in Metro Manila but
prevent unscrupulous enforcers from victimizing motorists.

He explained that the use of cameras would considerably lessen mulcting
and bribery because there would be totally no interaction between the
enforcer and a driver.

Vergel de Dios said that the MMDA would not reveal the areas where the
enforcers with cameras would be deployed.
He said they wanted drivers to be conscious at all times that someone
would take their picture if they violated the law.

Each of the 50 new digital cameras will cost from 6,000 to 7,000 pesos,
which are much cheaper than the 30,000-peso price tag for each of the 10
cameras earlier bought.

The first batch cameras, however, are capable of taking moving and still
pictures and have a zoom function. On the other hand, the second batch of
digital cameras will only be capable of taking still pictures, said the
traffic director.

**ghosthunter** · July 3rd, 2003 08:50 AM

and what if the car doesn't have a license plate?

and how can we be sure if the picture was taken on this certain day than another? digital pics can be editted quite easily and we all know that.

**mazdamazda** · July 3rd, 2003 12:06 PM

am sure that they'll put a date/time stamp on the photo.

- how will they give the summon to the owner?
- how will they keep track of the 9 day grace period?
- what if the owner is in the provice / abroad?
- what about if the offender is different from the owner (fleet vehicles specially)?

this is a stupid idea as our mmda / lto records isn't up to date! furthermore, the owner would not be able to contest the charges against him/her! pure BS

**wreckless** · July 3rd, 2003 01:23 PM

kala ko naka-mount yung cameras sa traffic lights just like in other foreign countries.

**ghosthunter** · July 3rd, 2003 04:37 PM

Anyone knows where I can buy sheets of light polarizing plastic? Similar to those used on ATM machines & low end laptop computers?

**RedHorse** · July 3rd, 2003 05:45 PM

ghost,

ha, ha, I know what ur thinking...

kahit nga plate number cover lang, basta on angles, puti na lang makikita nila

Back to Topic:

Paano na yong mga in-transit from Planta to Casa, like the hell drivers of isuzu, yong bagong walang kamalay-malay na owner, may penalty na.

**Olive Drab** · July 4th, 2003 07:57 AM

bagong negosyo nanaman nila...

**TEAL** · July 4th, 2003 10:52 AM

IMO, maganda yung objective. The problem as usual is in the implementation. As always, meron loop-holes for corruption. Worse is malaki ang room for human rights violation. Wala nang chance yung car owner to aire his side because the pictures of his car has judged him as a traffic violator. Walang due process.

**OTEP** · July 4th, 2003 01:42 PM

Saka may issue of privacy. What if the car was not meant to be there during the time of violation (i.e. I cut classes and went to SM instead) or iba ang sakay ng sasakyan ko (hindi yung girlfriend ko).

Kaya maraming Americans na against sa stoplight cameras, eh.

**wreckless** · July 4th, 2003 03:15 PM

Originally posted by OTEP
...(i.e. I cut classes and went to SM instead) or iba ang sakay ng sasakyan ko (hindi yung girlfriend ko)....[/B]

e di huli ka...
hehehehe...

i agree with TEAL..
ok yung objective..
mahirap yung implementation...
and besides..
malay nyo i-alok pa nung enforcer yung digicam
kapag nagkataon...
or ma-snatch sa enforcer yung digicam na hawak nya..
you'll never know.