THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the driver’s license of a member of a popular Pinoy pop (P-pop) girl group after a video surfaced showing her using her cell phone while driving.
LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said he issued a show-cause order against BINI member Mikha Lim following a video which showed her recording herself while driving before dropping her phone.
The LTO did not identify Lim but reports from social media including Facebook showed she was the female driver that the agency has placed under investigation. She was required to appear at LTO central office on Nov. 20 for a hearing.
An LTO report said Lim, instead of pulling over to a safe location, bent down to retrieve the phone.
“The video also showed her holding the phone with both hands while driving — a dangerous act that could cause accidents and endanger her safety, and that of other motorists,” Lacanilao said.
Possible violations cited in the show-cause order include Republic Act 10913, or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, reckless driving and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle — grounds that may warrant the suspension or revocation of her license.
Lim has also been ordered to immediately surrender her driver’s license, which would be suspended for 90 days.
“It is our job to ensure that the law is enforced fairly and impartially, regardless of a person’s status or fame. Famous or not, we expect everyone to follow traffic laws, and if a violation is proven, the LTO will impose the appropriate penalty,” Lacanilao said.
The LTO reminded motorists to strictly follow traffic laws, particularly the prohibition on using cell phones while driving.
It said such behavior can cause accidents and endanger the safety of drivers, other motorists and pedestrians.
