Technology link to check traffic violations

THE LAND Transportation Office (LTO) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday formalized a technology tie-up for a more efficient monitoring of traffic violations. With the new project, the LTO will no longer approve license renewals that have unsettled traffic violations. The project will tap the MMDA-Integrated Law Enforcement System, a Web-based facility that will allow interconnection with the LTO system. The system will be run by Stradcom Corp., a local information and telecommunications company. In a briefing, Rhoda Ipac, Stradcom assistant vice-president for business connectivity, explained that once the MMDA uploads the license plate of the violator, the offense will automatically appear in all LTO branches nationwide. Ms. Ipac said the project will initially cover drivers license renewals, and will eventually be expanded to the registration of motor vehicles and issuance of student licenses. Ms. Ipac said the information technology platforms for the project have passed the initial testing of the MMDA. The LTO test phase will be done this week, after which the project is ready to be implemented in two weeks, she added. MMDA Chairman Bayani F. Fernando said the new project guarantees a 100% collection rate of fines, and clarified that the project will entail no additional fees to motorists. Outgoing LTO chief Reynaldo I. Berroya said the new system will prevent the practice of some violators to leave confiscated licenses unclaimed and instead apply for new licenses. - BusinessWorld