ANGELES CITY – The Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) said yesterday it now has 48 closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) to clamp down on over-speeding motorists along the 84-kilometer stretch of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).
TMC traffic supervisor Cathy del Mundo said at least 25 over-speeders are monitored daily along NLEx. Their speed are noted by personnel at TMC’s traffic control headquarters which relay information to tollway exits where the erring motorists are flagged down and penalized.
She said that the cameras which she described as “speed guns”, are mobile and hidden.
Del Mundo noted that since last January,at least 7,065 motorists have been penalized for over-speeding along the NLEx.
This even as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), which developed the NLEx managed by TMC, has forged resources in the drive against overloaded vehicles along the expressway.
With its 48 closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) and intensified Anti-Overloading Law campaign, NLEx officials cautioned errant cargo lines of sanctions that would amount to P1 million and five-year imprisonment.
TMC officials said the law enforcers along the NLEx have been told to strictly implement the provisions of of Republic Act 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law which imposes fine ranging from P100,000 to P1 million on violators.
“Overloaded vehicles are major road safety hazards. They endanger lives and properties and cause premature deterioration of roads. Alarmingly, LTO records point out that 85 percent of all trucks plying the Philippine road network are overloaded,” said MNTC in a statement.
The DPWH has estimated that road damage caused by overloaded vehicles cost about P20 billion yearly. With this,
MNTC president Rodrigo Franco noted that the maximum allowable gross vehicle weight (GVW) for a six-wheeler truck is 18,660 kilograms and 41,000 kgs for a 22-wheeler truck.
“Apprehended drivers of overloaded trucks and trailers would be issued a temporary operating permit (TOP) in exchange for their driver’s licenses and their vehicles’ license plates which may be redeemed at the LTO main offices in Quezon City,” he said.
The driver of an overloaded vehicle would pay a fine equivalent to 25 percent of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge. A third violation is punishable with imprisonment of not less than three years but not exceeding five years and a fine of not less than P100,000 but not exceeding P1million.
