By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday issued a show cause order against television host Ian Red and the registered owner of a sports utility vehicle after a viral video showed him driving without a seatbelt and stepping out of the vehicle while on the road.
In the video, the driver is seen behind the wheel without a seatbelt while his companions, fellow television hosts Miles Ocampo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Maine Mendoza, recorded themselves singing inside the vehicle.
At the end of the clip, the driver steps out of the vehicle while it is on the road, leaving the door open, before getting back in.
“Walang masama sa pag-content at pagsasaya sa loob ng sasakyan, pero hindi kailanman dapat isantabi ang kaligtasan para dito. Bilang lisensyadong drayber, alam niya ang kanyang responsibilidad na magsuot ng seatbelt, manatiling nakatuon sa pagmamaneho, at sumunod sa iba pang umiiral na batas-trapiko (There is nothing wrong with creating content and having fun inside a vehicle, but safety should never be set aside for it. As a licensed driver, he knows his responsibility to wear a seatbelt, stay focused on driving, and follow other existing traffic laws),” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said in a statement.
The LTO has directed the registered owner and driver to appear before the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) on Sept. 29 for a hearing.
The individuals are also required to submit a sworn statement or explanation, along with supporting documents, to explain why the designated driver should not be held liable for possible violations of Failure to Wear the Prescribed Seatbelt Device and Reckless Driving.
The LTO is also looking into the possible declaration of the driver as an Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle, which could result in the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license.
The agency has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license while the investigation continues.
The driver has been ordered to surrender his license, which remains on alarm status, along with the vehicle. (PNA)
