WHAT’S the sound of a vehicle backfire? It’s that burst you hear as a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust.
That approximates the sound on social media against the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 for its decision to start fining owners of vehicles without the proper license plates.
But, in the first place, was it not the LTO that was delayed in the release of these plates? This was the prevalent reaction online and on social media to the LTO’s reminder for vehicle owners to have the regulated license plates effective October 1 or face the consequences.
LTO 7 Director Victor Caindec knew he could face a backlash with his order. He even had death threats after his dispute with the Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña over road management. Yet, he said, he will implement the rule. Anybody caught violating traffic laws starting October 1 would have to make sure his or her vehicle has the updated car plate or they pay, on top of the violation penalty, the P5,000 fine and have their driver’s license confiscated for not using the correct plates.
Vehicles whose registration fall between July 2016 and February 2017 should have the proper license plates. Vehicle owners can get these from their dealers or can check with the LTO website at www.lto.gov.ph if the plates are ready for pick-up.
I was one of those who coursed the release of my license plate through the dealer. It was only then I found out that the dealer would have to attach the plates and that it would have to cut into my windshield tint, right behind the rear-view mirror, to place the registration sticker. I had to make two trips to the dealer – one to file the authorization for the dealer to get my plates and another to actually have the plates installed. I found out too late that the dealer had to cut through windshield tint to paste the sticker. Other vehicle owners who were at the dealer shop were furious that the sticker meant their windshield tint on their expensive vehicles had to be slashed to have space for the registration sticker.
That’s another one that the LTO failed to explain.
Online and social media comments against the LTO accelerated. “Seriously?” asked one. He said the LTO was at fault for delaying the release of the plates. “Why penalize the car owner?” Another asked what was the penalty imposed on the LTO for being unable to provide the plates on time. Still another said it was the LTO’s fault that vehicle owners did not have the proper plates.
Indeed, the LTO has to explain these issues to vehicle owners. Why the delay? Why the strict implementation and penalty now when the LTO was at fault? Why is there need to have license plates updated? How about those vanity plates? Why cut my tint?
Explain the delay and why the need to start implementation on October 1. It’s not enough to penalize violators. The LTO has to talk more to the public.