With lockdown restrictions currently at the lowest level, people are again taking to the roads on the way to business and leisure. This is on top of essential activities that used to be the only permissible things to do outside the home at the height of the pandemic.
More cars on the road mean higher chances of traffic violations committed
You may have been eager to drive around after spending such an extended period indoors, but you might find that things are not quite the same as before, especially where traffic is concerned. One notable change is the implementation of the no contact apprehension policy (NCAP) in several cities within the country.
The NCAP has been touted as the next step in traffic law enforcement, using high definition closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to constantly monitor vehicular traffic in a given area. The cameras are supposedly sharp enough to capture footage day or night, whatever the weather.
There's always somebody watching, even if it's not a traffic enforcer in the field
Traffic violations committed within these cameras’ field of view are recorded, paying particular attention to the vehicle’s license plate. The information is verified with the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) database, and a notice of violation (NOV) is sent to the registered owner, complete with a screenshot of the offense and a link to the video footage.
Various cities in the country have begun implementing their respective versions of the NCAP. At least six cities in the Metro Manila, for instance, already have the system in place. If you’ve been to any one of them recently and you want to preemptively check if the cameras have caught a violation you may have committed, here are the links:
- Manila City: https://nocontact.manilacity.ph/plate
- Quezon City: https://nocontact.quezoncity.gov.ph/plate
- Parañaque City: https://nocontact.paranaquecity.net/plate
- Valenzuela City: https://nocontact.valenzuelacity.net/plate
- Muntinlupa City: https://nocontact.muntinlupacity.net/
- Marikina City: http://loop.marikina.gov.ph/ctmdo/index.asp
San Juan City will reportedly follow suit this month, as part of its plan to reinforce smooth traffic flow and bolster its response capabilities.
But the NCAP is not limited to just Metro Manila. At least two provinces in Luzon, are already implementing the system. These are:
- Bataan City: https://nocap.bataanprovince.net/plate
- Cauayan City: https://nocontact.cauayancity.net/plate
NCAP has also been adopted in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, notably in Mandaue City and Davao City, respectively. As of this writing, the two local governments have yet to assign a link where motorists can check for violations.
Hopefully, you won’t find any traffic infractions that can be traced to your vehicle’s license plate. More than merely avoiding paying penalties, it’s proof that you’re doing a good job so far behind the wheel.
Catch more mobility updates at Philkotse.com.