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

[webmiester]

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

paano yung mga american cars. Many of them only has red for their rear lights. Kahit na signal lights, some of them also use red.

[webmiester]

Kawawa naman mga jeepney drivers. I know that this memo is targetting the rich guys with powerful blinding lights... kaso its often the jeepneys that have a lot of dangling foglights and light accessories sa front. Baka paginitan sila para lang magkakuwarta si mr. enforcer... tsk tsk tsk

[Automahn]

paano yung mga american cars. Many of them only has red for their rear lights. Kahit na signal lights, some of them also use red.

Ok lang yun. Yun ang stock na mga ilaw nila. Ang bawal yung mga nagkakabit ng aftermarket na ilaw na iba ang kulay. Isa diyan yung mga nagpapalit ng stoplight nila from red to white, pag nasa highway tuloy na gabi at medyo umuulan, magugulat ka na lang na pumepreno pala yung kasunod mo o di kaya akalain mong umaatras siya.

[webmiester]

Ok lang yun. Yun ang stock na mga ilaw nila. Ang bawal yung mga nagkakabit ng aftermarket na ilaw na iba ang kulay. Isa diyan yung mga nagpapalit ng stoplight nila from red to white, pag nasa highway tuloy na gabi at medyo umuulan, magugulat ka na lang na pumepreno pala yung kasunod mo o di kaya akalain mong umaatras siya.

Actually a lot of them ok naman kasi may red rin talaga yung ilaw nila, kaso may mga nagpapauso sa wiring, mali nga talaga yun... Parang minsan masmaganda pa nga tignan yung mga pundido yung ilaw kaysa sa mga binaliktad yung wiring...

[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