Iloilo registered the highest number of traffic violators in Western Visayas according to data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The LTO has apprehended 28,134 erring drivers during the first quarter of this year.

Of this year's number, Iloilo has 9,951 followed by Bacolod City with 4,888; Cadiz City in Negros Occidental with 1,566; Himamaylan, Negros Occidental with 1,402; Roxas City, 1,400; Barotac Viejo in Iloilo, 1,292; Pontevedra in Negros Occidental with 1,274; Kalibo, 1,212; Antique, 1,029; Calinog in Iloilo, 1,026; Dumalag in Capiz, 915; San Carlos in Negros Occidental, 875; Guimbal in Iloilo, 823; and Guimaras, 481.

Marlon Velez, head of LTO's Operation Division, said most of the violations committed by the drivers were: defective jeepney accessories such as signal lights, not wearing of seatbelt, expired driver's license, smoke belching, illegal parking and loading/unloading and wearing slippers and shorts among others.

For the whole 2011, registered erring drivers reached 95,416.

Velez said public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers are the most common violators.

IMPOUNDED

Meanwhile, the LTO has impounded 390 vehicles in the first quarter of this year.

Of this year's number, Himamaylan topped at 125 vehicles followed by San Carlos, 94; Bacolod City, 55; Iloilo, 35; Roxas City, 30; Cadiz City, 15; Kalibo, 10; Guimaras, seven; Pontevedra, six; four each from towns of Calinog and Guimbal, all in Iloilo; Barotac Viejo, Iloilo and Dumalag, Capiz, with three and two, respectively.

In 2011, there were 1,220 impounded vehicles.

To address these problems, Velez said they hold seminars and refresher trainings for transport groups.

REGISTERED VEHICLES

LTO records show that there are registered 376,329 registered motor vehicles around the region. Of this number, 405,164 vehicles were already inspected for registration and renewal purposes.

Velez said most of the registered motor vehicles are motorcycles, 220,566 units followed by utility vehicles, 86,074.

Others are private cars, 29,368; trucks, 27,688; buses, 1,643; and trailers, 666.

INCIDENTS

Velez said that most negative highway incidents involved single motorcycles.

Some of the causes of such incidents are reckless driving, drunkenness, not wearing a helmet, having multiple back riders and not wearing the proper gears like jacket and rubberized boots.

Velez said that LTO is not letting-up in its campaign against erring motorcycle drivers.

In addition, drivers are reminded to always carry their drivers' licenses, should not be under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs, should have early warning devices in place, should have lights in the plate numbers, and plates should be visible, among others.*