10 Most Common Traffic Violations in the Philippines & Respective Fines

In 2016, there have been recorded a total of 209,830 incidents of traffic violation in the National Capital Region alone. This means that if there are 468,521 registered motor vehicles in the NCR, almost half of those had committed traffic violations.

According to the Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System (MMARAS), the recurring traffic violations may be attributed to human error.

This entails different types of physical distractions or challenges and even negligence that a driver usually faces, which cause traffic woes. Whatever the causes may be, below is the list of most common traffic violations in the Philippines, compiled by Philkotse.com.

1. Disregarding Traffic Signs (DTS) 

In a span of one year, the incidence of DTS in NCR almost doubled. In 2017, the MMDA recorded a total of 91,843 cases of DTS from 54,917 cases in 2016.

The DTS violation meaning is defined as all the activities of drivers disregarding traffics signs while driving on road.

The DTS violation fee 2021 carries Php 150.00 for the first, second and third violations.

The DTS violation fee 2021 carries Php 150.00 for the first, second and third violations

2. Obstruction violation

This violation means the act of blocking the free passage of other motor vehicles on highways whilst unloading freights and taking or discharging passengers. This act also includes the act of driving vehicle in such a way that it impedes or obstruct the passage of another motor vehicle.

From 38,082 in 2015 and 45,729 recorded cases in 2016, obstruction incidents reached 73,082 in 2017. This obstruction violation carries a penalty of Php 150.00 for the first, second and third offenses.

Obstruction carries a penalty of Php 150.00 for the first, second and third offenses

3. Number Coding or Color Coding Scheme

This violation is also known as the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), which aims to diminish traffic congestion especially during peak hours. This scheme restricts the utilization of major public roads by motor vehicles on the basis of the last digit of their plate numbers.

In 2017, there were 30,474 incidents from 22,503 cases in 2016 of number coding violations.

This violation carries with it a penalty of Php 300 for the first, second, and third violations.

>>> Click here to understand how the coding scheme works

Number coding penalty in the Philippines is announced at Php 300 for the first, second, and third violations

4. Illegal Parking

Under MMDA Resolution 02-33, an illegally parked vehicle means those that are parked in zones prohibited by ordinance or existing law for parking purposes. It also includes those areas designated by local government units or authority as NO PARKING zones or areas.

Thus, parking in front of any private driveway, in intersections, or within 5 meters from an intersection, within 4 meters from the entrance of a driveway, or parking within 4 meters from any fire hydrant, or parking in any place where there is a sign of prohibition, fall within the ambit of illegal parking.

MMDA will give the driver a 5-minute period before towing the illegally parked car

Illegal parking fine consists of two types – those cases that are not towed (with a penalty of Php 200 for the first, second, and third offense) and those that are towed (which carries a penalty of Php 500 for the first, second, and third offense).

>>> For further reference: Illegal Parking Laws in the Philippines: How not to be a Parking Jerk

5. Stalled Vehicle

This violation pertains to the use of any vehicle or even its attachments on public road, thoroughfare, or street and deemed to be incapable of proceeding through its own motive power. This includes junked or dilapidated motor vehicles in Metro Manila.

The MMDA record in 2016 showed 7,568 cases of this violation. It warrants a penalty of Php 200 for the first, second, and third violations.

TRAFFIC VIOLATORS EVERYWHERE IN MANILA!

6. Loading and unloading in prohibited areas

In EDSA alone, 11,888 cases of loading/unloading in prohibited zones have been recorded in 2017. This violation carries a penalty of Php 150 for the first, second, and third violations.

In EDSA alone, 11,888 cases of loading/unloading in prohibited zones have been recorded in 2017

7. Truck Ban

According to the Truck Ban Ordinance of MMDA, cargo trucks are prohibited to pass along some designated public roads (e.g. E. Rodriguez Avenue, Taft Avenue, España Street) at a given period of time and days of the week. A violation of this ordinance warrants a penalty of Php 2000. 

On the other hand, cargo trucks are also totally prohibited to traverse, except on holidays and Sundays, along EDSA. Otherwise, the driver will be fined Php 500 for the first, second, and third offense.

Cargo trucks are also totally prohibited to traverse, except on holidays and Sundays, along EDSA

8. Reckless Driving 

This traffic violation refers to the act of driving dangerously, disregarding the rules of traffic, or even driving and causing accident and damage to person or property. 

Among common violations, reckless driving penalty in the Philippines imposes Php 500 for first offense, Php 750 for second offense and suspension of driver’s license and finally for third offense, a revocation of driver's license and a fine of Php 1000. This is without prejudice to the possible filing of criminal charge against the erring driver.

Among common violations, reckless driving gives more serious penalties

9. Motorcycle lane policy

Due to the proliferation of motor vehicles traversing along EDSA, motor-related accidents also skyrocketed. Thus, MMDA traffic enforcers implemented this policy in EDSA, Macapagal Avenue, C-5 Road, C.P. Garcia highway and Commonwealth Avenue.

It should be noted that this is not only motorcycle lane violations but also includes those cases when motorcycle riders do not wear their proper riding gear (e.g. not wearing prescribed helmet, no side mirrors, riders wearing slippers or shorts).

In 2016, the MMDA recorded a total of 6,370 cases of this traffic violaion. A penalty of Php 500 for first, second, and third violations are imposed against erring drivers.  

Motorcycle-related accidents have skyrocketed over the years

10. Illegal Counterflow

This traffic violation is usually committed during rush hours as drivers tend to look for faster way to go home or just merely to avoid heavy traffic. This carries a penalty of Php 2000 for first offense and a suspension of driver’s license.

With those voluminous vehicles traversing our busy streets, one must be reminded that our behavior as motorists contributes to the aggravation of traffic problems in our country. If we try to observe the foregoing violations in the Philippines, most of it do not have such a big impact on the pockets of motorists. 

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why drivers tend to break the law just so they could drive according to their whim. That is the reason why one of MMDA’s proposal to curtail the growing number of apprehensions each year is to double the penalty for every traffic violation. 

This violation is usually committed during rush hours by drivers who are looking for faster ways to get to their destination

Always keep in mind that committing traffic violation does not only taint your driving records but also exhaust your pockets. Don't forget to check out the complete list of LTO fines and penalties in the Philippines to avoid being fined due to traffic violations in the Philippines. Get more safe driving tips at Philkotse.com