TRAFFIC LAWS,RULES AND REGULATIONS

TRAFFIC LAWS,RULES AND REGULATIONS .CONCEPT:.The standards of regulating movements on roads, streets, and, highways are found in traffic laws, rules and regulations

.In the Philippines, the mass of traffic laws, rules and regulations have their source in laws, Presidential decree (P.D.s), Executive Orders and (E.O.s), letters of instructions (L.O.Is), Administrative Orders and Implementing Memoranda and other Special Laws relative to traffic operation and traffic law enforcement. ..As a traffic law enforcer, it is essential that you should be familiar with these rules and regulations

.In addition, traffic signs, pavement markings, and other control devices are traffic law themselves. Violation of such constitute misdemeanor or infraction of law.

A.SOURCES. The following are the basis for the traffic regulations and prohibitions in the country.1.Republic Acts (R.A.S)a. R.A 4136. This is the basic law regulating land transportation in the philippines. It has repealed Act No. 3992 (The Revised Motor Vehicle Law). Further, as amended by R.A. Nos.5715, 6374, PD Nos. 382, 843, 896, 1057, 1934, 1950, Bp Blg. 43, 74, and 398b. R.A. 6539. The act which known as the Anti- Carnapping Act of 1972, the act preventing and penalizing carnapping .c. R,A 548. act imposing a tax on private owned passenger automobiles, motorcycles and scooters, and a science stamp tax, to constitute a special science fund defining the programs., projects and activities of science agencies to be financed therefrom and for other purposes.d. R.A 8749. Also known as the Clean air Act which regulates emission of toxic gases of both gasoline and diesel engines and bans the use of leaded gas for gasoline engines.e. R.A. 8750 .It provides for the attachment of seat belts for all types of motor vehicles and imposes penalty for the no compliance there of.f. R.A. 7924 The act creating the metro politan manila development Authority , defining its powers and functions, providing funds thereof and other purposes.2. Presidential Decrees (P.D.s)a. P.D No. 96. regulating the use of sirens, bells, horns bell, etc. on motor vehicles which produce unusual or startling sounds as well as blinkers and other similar devices unless the vehicle belongs to the AFP, NBI, PNP, BJMP, Hospitals and Fire departments and are specifically intended for use in emergencies.b. P.D. No. 101.expediting the methods of prescribing redefining or modifying the lines and modes of operations of public utility motor vehicles in the philippines .c. P.D No.207 . Declaring as pert of the laws of the philippines the viena convention on road traffic, signs and signals..d. P.D No. 612. Requiring compulsary insurance for all types of motor vehicles against third party liability as an additional pre-requisites for registration by the LTO.e. P.D 1686. Imposing a tax on every motor vehicle equipped with air conditioner.f. P.D 1181. Providing for the abatement of air pollution from motor vehicle and for other purposes.g. P.D 1605. Granting the metro politan manila commission certain powers related to traffic management and control in metropolitan manila providing penalties, and for other purposes. .h. P.D 98. Regulating the issuance of license plates of all motor vehicles i. P.D 109. Modifying P.D. 98.j. P.D. 1729. Authorizing the bureau of land transportation to dispose of impounded motor vehicles unclaimed by owners for a certain period of time.k. P.D. 1730. Declaring the syndicated, manufacture, distribution, possession or use of fake official bureau of land transportation forms ,documents, plates and stickers as offenses involving economic sabotage.

3. Letters of Instruction (L.O.I.s)a. L.O.I No. 43. providing for the removal of all impediments on roads, streets, and highways such as constructions, stalled or parked vehicles and other movable property that obstruct free passage . This LOIU abrogated city or municipal ordinances governing the disposition of traffic on city and municipal streets throughout the country.L.O.I No. 112. Prohibiting freight and cargo trucks from using roads, highways and bridges whose load capacities are in excess of specific allowable limits.c. L.O.I No. 229 Requiring all motor vehicle owners , users, or drivers to have in their.Possession at all times while driving at least one pair of early warning device (EWD)for use when the vehicle is disable on roads, streets and highways or other emergencies compelling the vehicle to be on stop position.L.O.I No. 716 Every motor vehicle to equip at least a pair of early warning devices.L.O.I No.551 Directing the law enforcement agencies to implement the pollution control program.Calling for the national tripartite conference to consider the establishment of viable labor management relations based upon the boundary system in land transportation. L.O.I No.

.L.O.I. 853 Calling for the national tripartite conference to consider the establishment of viable labor management relations based upon the boundary system in land transportation.L.O.I. 1009 All owners of private motor vehicles who desire to stop operating or using their number plates an d registration certificates to surrender to BLT.L.O.I. 1071 Owners and/or operators of motor vehicles are authorized to pay then annual premiums for then insurance of their motor annual premiums for the insurance of their motor vehicles on quarterly basis.4. Department orders (D.O.s)DOTC D.O. 88-305 Rules of pleadings , practice and procedure for appeals on franchising , fare rates charges and other related matters pertinent to land transportation public utilities .D.O 93-693 Revised schedule of administrative fees and charges of the land transportation office.5.Administrative and special ordersAdministrative Order No. VIII, S-1968, LTC Requiring the towing and impounding of stalled motor vehicles on public highways and other impositions of corresponding fees thereof.Administrative Order No.1, S-1873, LTC. Prescribing guidelines and procedures in the implementation of PD No. 96Administrative Order No.1, S-1975, LTC. Laying down specific rules of action in the imposition of uniform fines and penalties for violation of the provisions of R.A. 4136Administrative Order No.101-IRM, LTC Enumerating and identifying various city streets where parking is prohibited

6.Memorandum circularsLTC Memorandum to all patrol officers , deputies and agents dtd 09 august 1975 . Directing the motor vehicles whose loads are rice , cereals ,fertilizers and other prime commodities are not to be apprehended and stopped on roads and highways except only in cases of serious violations.LTC Memorandum circular No. 33, dated 12 september 1972 . Providing guidelines in the apprehension of illegally parked motor vehicles.LTC Circular No. 15, dated 19 january 1972. Regulating and laying instructions in the use of special commemorative motor vehicle plates..d. M.C. 94-199. aide-memoir regarding retention and authority by LTO to register motorized tricycles under R.A. 4136, and guidelines to implement devolution of LTFRBs franchising authority over TCs per R.A. 7160 issued by DOTC.e. M.C. 94-188 Issuance of drivers license to disabled persons.f. M.C. 92-146. Re-implementation of LOI 229 , as amended by LOI 479 directing the installation of early warning devices of motor vehiclesg. M.C. 94-192 Diesel smoke emission test for motor vehicles.h. M.C. 90-020. Directing all public land transportation service operation and drivers to display in any conspicuous place of their vehicles the authorized fare matrix for the specific route granted them to avoid conflicti. M.C. 93-011 Enjoining all public utility operators to use garage instead of public places or side streets in parking their vehicles.M.C. 94-002 Sanctions on operators arising from the violations of their drivers.M.C.94-209 Clarificatory guidelines for the registration/operation of new private vehicles particularly in the use of conduction sticker.7.Excecutive Orders (E.O.s)E.O. 125. Reorganizing the DOTC, defining its powers and function and for other purposes.E.O. 266 Providing for two service units in the office of the asst. sec. for land transportation in the DOTC (law enforcement service-LES and traffic adjudication service-TAS), defining the powers and functions thereof and for other purposes.E.O.202. Creating the land transportation franchising and regulatory board (LTFRB).E.O.248. Empowering the land transportation commission to control and supervise the operations of motor vehicle driving schools.8.Other special laws ,statutes, etcBatas pambansa Blg. 344(B.P.344). Act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings , institution, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.Section 1, par.2 In the case of the parking place of any of the above institutions , buildings , or establishments , or public utilities , the owner or operator shall reserve sufficient and suitable space for the use of disabled personsSection.2 Incase of public conveyance , devices such as the prominent display of posters , stickers shall.be used to generate public awareness of the rights of the disabled and other posters understanding of their special needs discriminating against disabled persons in the carriage or transportation of passengers is hereby declared unlawful.

b. Memorandum unnumbered dated july 13,1992 Early warning device (EWD) not a requirement for registration.e. SC Bars Lawmen from removing car plates (187 SCRA 432)