another law to break

LTO warns against unauthorized ‘wang-wang’, LED lights, other modifications
by Tessa Distor
January 22, 2016 (updated)
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image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/led.jpg


LED daytime running lights (Photo by Thermos via Commons)

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) released a memorandum reiterating that unauthorized “wang-wang”, light-emitting diode (LED), and other modifications on vehicles are considered violations and can be penalized.

It was signed by LTO Assistant Secretary, Atty. Roberto Cabrera III, and was sent to all LTO offices on January 18, 2016.

“In the interest of road safety and pursuant to DOTC-LTO-LTFRB Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2014-01, the undersigned reiterates the drive against unauthorized wang-wangs, LED lights, and all other modifications”, the memorandum read.

The said order describes the unauthorized motor vehicle modification as the “change in color and other unauthorized modifications of the standard manufacturer’s specification.”

It added that vehicles must not operate “without or with defective, improper, or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment and parts… [including] bells/horns/sirens/whistles, blinkers, brakes, early warning device, grill/s, jalousies, brake (foot and hand brakes), brake lights/headlights/interior lights/signal lights/tail lights, mirrors, mufflers, metallic tires/spare tire, speedometer, windshield, wipers or any other accessory, device, equipment or part that is manifestly prejudicial to road safety.”

The Automobile Association of the Philippines’ Advocacy Department Head Cynthia Reyes told Manila Bulletin Online that its president, Augusto Lagman ”fully supports” this memorandum since it is in compliance to Article 4, Section 34 of the Republic Act 4136; but expressed hopes for proper enforcement.

Meanwhile, some automobile enthusiasts want a clearer standard as to what is unauthorized.

“That joint administrative order has been sleeping for a long time because of poor implementation and very vague standards set for compliance”, Robby Consunji, 4×4 editor of Top Gear Philippines told Manila Bulletin Online.

He said, for instance, to pinpoint just “LED lights” is erroneous because LED lights, as it is, is not unsafe. “It goes wrong when it is installed in the wrong way or it is a fake one — then that is a nuisance”.

“I am not against safety; but we don’t know what they mean by ‘modification’. Is installing a car tint a violation… because that is a modification since car manufacturers do not supply car tints? Can traffic enforcers penalize me?,” Consunji asked.

The Top Gear editor said that car or motorbike enthusiasts will be stripping off their automobile’s accessories in the fear that they will be penalized without knowing whether they are violating a law or not.


Read more at LTO warns against unauthorized ‘wang-wang’, LED lights, other modifications | mb.com.ph | Philippine News

 

I like the flashing lights, they are much better than no lights

 

Just imagine what the roads would be like if all the motorcycles that don't meet code were pulled off the street. I'd say probably 80% of the motorcycles are off the road right there. Now add in the motorcycles of drivers who fail to use their working turn signals and lights that would probably mean 90% of the motorcycles are off the streets right there. After all I can't take a 5 minute drive in the evening without seeing at least 2 motorcycles without lights and least 1 with improper lights.

What I wish they would do is actually require drivers to actually take a physical driving exam to get their license which includes showing proper use of all features such as turn signals, correct driving distance, and correct ways to pass other motorists. Further a written test for any getting a license that included explaining the differences in which headlights and which ones to use and when. I say that as I get so tired of being blinded at night by some oncoming vehicle with flood lights and brights on when they are clearly not needed. On must think they are utterly clueless or more likely enjoying blinding other motorists.

Of course we all know nothing will ever change as the only way to change it would be LTO doing their jobs and to start impounding and even destroying in cases improper vehicles and putting bad drivers or those w/o a license in jail for a bit of time even if its just 48 hours.

 

In the US adding a light or lights is fairly simple. In the front they can not be red. In the back they can not be white, except for the license plate light (yes the US can be brainchildren also, plates should be reflective with no light required). Strobing/rotating light is permitted only for emergency vehicles. Every legal light or reflector that is approved safety equipment has DOT certification. All of your original equipment must be present and working or replaced with DOT approved equipment or it simply doesn't count. Some places require that off road light be turned to the rear or have covers while the vehicle is operated on the street.

The Philippines would do well to work on the blinding lights and the zero light problem and worry about the incorrect light when they get a handle on that. Just my opinion.

Deep tinted windshield and night blind old man is a bad combination, especially when added to scooter with no lights and pedestrians on the highway dressed all in black. There was a new-ish white Mitsubishi headed South that used to bright the hell out of me just about every time I drove into Dumaguete just after dark from Bacong.

 

MANILA — A 58-year-old man who got into a fight over a motorcycle’s bright LED headlight was shot dead by the motorcycle driver inside a Caloocan City subdivision past 12 a.m. Monday.

Nelson Belen, a resident of the same subdivision in Barangay 173, Caloocan City, suffered three gunshot wounds in the chest after he was shot repeatedly by Ardy Cristobal, 43, an electrical engineer.

Senior Supt. Bartolome Bustamante, Caloocan City police chief, said Belen — who was reportedly coming from a restaurant he owned, called the Kubo Grill — was traveling along the Senate Avenue inside the Senate Village in Barangay 173, on board a Ford Ranger pickup, when he got irritated by the glaring headlight of Cristobal’s motorcycle past 12 a.m.

Cristobal was with back rider Joseph Ochona during the incident, said Superintendent Reydante Ariza, chief of Caloocan City Police North Extension office.

Bustamante said probers learned that a heated altercation took place between Belen and Cristobal. After several minutes, Belen reversed his car and retreated to his home in Barangay 173 while Cristobal went home at Carissa Homes subdivision in Barangay 171.

For some reason, the two went back to the same spot where they had an altercation.

Upon seeing Cristobal who was on board a Honda CRV this time, Belen went out of his car and fired at Cristobal’s feet, using his .45-firearm, apparently to give Cristobal a lesson, Bustamante said. Cristobal was injured, the police said.

However, Cristobal, a professional shooter, retaliated, took out his licensed Thunder 45 ultra Compact Pro firearm and shot Belen three times in the chest, killing him on the spot, Ariza said.

Immediately, Cristobal left Belen’s body at the crime scene and went to the Police Community Precinct Station 6 and surrendered, turning over his loaded firearm and magazine to the police.

As of this writing, Cristobal had left the Philippine Ortophedic Center where he got treatment for his injured feet, the police said.

Cristobal also underwent inquest proceedings on Monday afternoon. He could be charged either with murder or homicide and would definitely be made to answer for violating the existing election gun ban, said the police. Ariza said Cristobal has expressed intention to file a frustrated murder counter-charge against Belen and he would cite self-defense in responding to the criminal case against him.

Cristobal would also be detained at the Caloocan City Police North Extension office after the inquest proceedings, Ariza added.

Recovered from the crime scene were a .45-gun and four fired cartridge cases beside Belen; 16 fired cartridge cases from a .45 gun; a deformed slug; and four metallic fragments from a jacketed fired bullet.

Bustamante said Belen, who probably just wanted to scare Cristobal, “underestimated” the suspect, who was trained in handling guns. At this point, police are still checking if Belen or Cristobal was drunk during the shooting.

Both Cristobal’s and Belen’s firearms were licensed, but were not exempted from the election gun ban, Bustamante said.

Bustamante said they would check the captured images of the installed closed circuit television in the area in their investigation.

Ariza said Belen was known in the area to be a lawyer handling cases with Customs. When police verified with the Bureau of Customs, Belen was not listed as a party that had transacted with Customs nor was he listed as a government employee or official at the BOC.

 

Don't pull a gun/point one at someone you aren't willing to shoot*. Don't shoot someone you aren't willing to kill. Always shoot center mass.

*disclaimer - I broke this rule once even though I knew the guy's gun was cocked. (My 15 year old daughter's boyfriend had snuck into her room at 2am. I was acting like I was responding to an intruder. The look on his face was priceless. He didn't show up much after that...)

 

So Belen the foreigner was dead. Nothing stated on finding a gun in the article where his body lie. The only story as per the article is that Christobel claims Belen had a gun and fired at his feet (that sounds suspicious as well) and a claimed leg injury which at best sounds like a glaze which could be from who knows what else unless they found gunpowder residue. Be curious to see the police report in the injury as seen at the police station.