Lopez also perpetually barred from getting license, fined
(Eagle News)–The Land Transportation Office has revoked the license of the motorist who posted a video and pictures of himself driving a car from the front passenger seat.
In a statement, the LTO said Luis Miguel Lopez, also known as Miko Lopez, was also perpetually barred from getting a driver’s license, and is required to pay penalties for multiple violations ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.
Based on a memorandum issued by the agency today, June 6, Lopez is charged with speeding, reckless driving, failure to wear or use a seatbelt, and driving a motor vehicle without a steering wheel or Unauthorized Motor Vehicle Modification, based on his social media posts that showed him also using his left leg to operate the gas and brake pedals while using his left hand to maneuver the steering wheel, and lighting a cigarette and smoking as he did this.
The LTO also noted Lopez’s posted picture on Facebook that showed him driving a vehicle with a speed of over 120 km/hour “without a steering wheel and just holding the quick release adaptor.”
A separate photo, LTO said, showed Lopez driving along a highway at a speed of over 220 km/hour.
In meting out the punishment, the LTO also noted that Lopez failed to appear before the agency despite the subpoena issued against him on May 29, thereby disregarding the opportunity to present his side.
“What Mr. Lopez did was an utter disregard for the safety of motorists and pedestrians. He poses a danger to the public and, therefore, has no place on our public roads,” Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, for his part, urged the public to report other irresponsible motorists.
“The safety of the public is and will always be our top priority, hence, we shall not hesitate to strip the privilege of motorists who willfully endanger others,” he said.
“We encourage the public to report drivers like Mr. Lopez. We implore our citizens to take part in penalizing arrogant road users so they are not emulated,” Galvante added.
