MMDA to go after banned vehicle lights

[Monseratto]

By Margaux Ortiz
Inquirer News Service

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has seen the light -- the unauthorized variety, that is -- and is not amused.

Worse, it will be apprehending and slapping a 500-peso fine on car owners who have installed prohibited lighting devices on their vehicles in violation of rules set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).



Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios said an LTO memorandum circular dated March 23, 1999, banned "dazzling headlights, broken taillights, broken taillight lens, and unauthorized rear/side/spot white or neon lights of any colors" on vehicles that use Metro Manila's roads.

"Despite the order," Vergel de Dios noted, "vehicles sporting additional lighting devices are being tolerated." He explained that these distract pedestrians and other motorists and could lead to accidents.

Upon apprehension, unauthorized lighting devices on vehicles will be immediately confiscated and the motorist fined.

If a motorist refuses to have a device confiscated, his or her vehicle will be impounded and the illegal accessory removed. The vehicle will be released afterwards.

The MMDA official said they would propose to National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force chief Angelo Reyes the strict implementation of the ban on unauthorized blinkers and sirens.

Vergel de Dios said the emergency devices were often used by unscrupulous and abusive enforcers and officials.

He added that cars with illegal sirens and blinkers could be used as getaway vehicles by criminals.

bye-bye altezza lights!!

[coiter]

hindi naman ata pagbabawalin ang altezza lights kasi nasa prescribed colors and illumination sya. i think its just right na pagbawalin ang tail lights na hindi red at signal light na hindi yellow ang kulay. masakit sa mata at nakakalito ang mga to e

[zero]

ningas cogon lang ito.
yung sa dark tints nga hindi nila maipatupad.

[boybi]

a few years ago, nagkaroon din sila ng drive agains these kinds of lights, pero hindi rin nagtagal.
a few months back naman, very loud horns naman ang binabawal nila, parang wala naman akong nabalitaan na nahuli.

[badkuk]

do they have any specifics on what kind of "dazzling lights" are prohibited? e.g. specific wattage, color, lumens? kung subjective lang ang pagiging basehan e pipista lang ung Mighty Kotong Traffic Rangers(tm, Pugad Baboy)

[empy]

i'm all for the apprehending of people with those stupid sirens

[HBOY]

1999 pa pala yan eh...sus.. makakalimutan din nila yan..

pero how i wish nga hulihin na nila yung mga nakaclear tail lights... langya.. parang headlight sa liwanag eh...

[benchph1]

Wish lang nila...puro ningas kugon naman ang mga yan eh pwe

[ghosthunter]

dazzling headlight... so what happens to a BMW, AUDI or BENZ (etc) with HID headlights?

[GlennSter]

masasabi ko lang sa kanila: IMPRESS ME.