In an interview Friday, Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Southern Mindanao Director Gomer Dy said the current penalty for over speeding is a measly P500.
"The P500 penalty for the first offense of over speeding is not really big enough to deter drivers from committing such," Dy added.
Dy said there are speed limits that are supposed to be imposed by traffic enforcers.
"Populated city streets and school zones have a speed limit of 10 to 20 kilometers per hour, while freeways have an allowable maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour," Dy said.
According to Dy, the speed limits are indicated in the signs installed along the streets and avenues of the city.
"Running over the speed limit is over speeding, and it is classified as reckless driving," he said.
Two people were pronounced dead after they were hit by an over speeding jeepney plying the southbound lane of MacArthur highway.
One of the victims, identified as Jibert Remunde, was reportedly crossing along a pedestrian lane in the vicinity of the Flores Subdivision crossing, when he was hit by the said jeepney. The other one was driving his motorcycle on the northbound lane when the jeepney struck him.
The jeepney belongs to a group of public utility vehicles referred to in the local dialect as "uso-uso." The group of "uso-uso" jeepneys is known for its notoriety in over speeding and utmost disregard for traffic rules and regulations.
"Accidents happen due to poor maintenance of the motor vehicle and when driven beyond speed limit becomes destabilized," Dy said.
The LTO, however, is keen on pushing for the proposed increase of the penalty to a much higher amount, accompanied by the automatic suspension of the driver's license even for the first offenders.
The driver of the jeepney, Lindon Lim, is now detained at the Talomo Police Station facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.
