New Traffic Code legalizes arrest of violators on CCTV

AFTER the passage of Davao City's new Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code Tuesday, the city will now have all the legal rights to collect fines from violators of the "No-contact apprehension policy".

Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga, who chairs the City Council committee on energy, transportation, and communications, told reporters Tuesday that since the amended version of the city's Traffic Code has already been passed during the council's regular session Tuesday, the city will only have to wait for the code's Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

To recall, the City Council has looked into the legality of the "No Contact Apprehension" being practiced by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The confusion got worst amidst the absence of an ordinance/memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing LTO to use images captured by the city's Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras in arresting erring drivers or motorists.

Braga said the main objective of the code is not to boost the city's coffers through higher revenue generated from fines and penalties from erring motorists.

"We hope that with this new code, number of traffic violations committed in the city will decrease," Braga said.

Braga said one of the most challenging parts of the job is how to inform and educate people of the new provisions of the code.

Among the salient features of the code include the expansion of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, that will allow the operation of motorized tricycles-for-hire, designation of one-way streets, and public-pay parking zones, and the creation of the rationalized and unified City Transport and Traffic Management Office.