Look who’s being shady!
The Land Transport Office – National Capital Region’s (LTO- NCR) Facebook page posted a reminder late last week urging drivers not to honk their horns if they’re in a hurry. It also cheekily suggested something drivers could do if they’re really in a rush — attach wings to their vehicles.
Savage.
Here’s what the LTO-NCR wrote in Filipino last week: “Reminder No. 71 – honking one’s horns to warn other people. It’s wrong to honk your horn if you’re asking the vehicle in front of you to move faster. You probably can’t see that they couldn’t move because someone is crossing or there’s an obstruction on the road.”
It added somewhat sarcastically: “You can attach wings to your vehicle if you’re really impatient.” And for good measure, LTO-NCR added a smiley.
The agency’s shady post was a big hit among netizens. As of today, it’s been shared almost 4,300 times with many netizens liking the post. However, the original post appears to have been deleted just this morning.
Despite its tone, the LTO-NCR clarified in a comment that they weren’t being sarcastic at all. The page stated: “It wasn’t the Admin’s intention to be sarcastic. The ‘wings’ part was only meant to lighten things up. Sometimes people’s lives are on the line and I often experience that (other drivers honking indiscriminately). Let’s be positive about this. The message has spread and people have different interpretations to it.”
It also added: “Please start with yourselves. The law or any guidelines are given so that people would follow them. Don’t wait for an [traffic] enforcer. Those who drive jeeps or buses, and private vehicles, do the right thing.”
The LTO is a government agency that operates under the Department of Transport that’s in charge of issuing driver’s licenses and vehicle plates. It also implements various transportation laws, rules, and regulations.
Netizens have different reactions to the LTO-NCR’s post. Bernie Lunario wrote: “And the horn shouldn’t be used to call passengers.”
Lunario is probably referring to drivers of public buses and jeepneys who honk their horns to get passengers’ attention so that they would ride on their vehicles.
Brian Lo, who also seems to be referring to drivers of public vehicles, wrote: “What about those who are obstructing the way because they’re getting or off-loading passengers. Many of them even chat with other people while waiting on the road.”
However, Pascual Jhorge agrees with the post.
He wrote: “This is correct. In other countries, drivers are fined for honking their horns. Filipino drivers aren’t really disciplined when they’re on the road, unlike those who have driven overseas, they’re disciplined. Here discipline really is a problem that’s why things remain chaotic even if the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and LTO work together.”
Do you agree with the LTO-NCR’s post? Leave a comment below or tweet to @CoconutsManila.
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