Lifetime ban for Skyway counterflow driver
Despite efforts to improve traffic enforcement and infrastructure, road safety in the Philippines remains a pressing concern.
In a move that has stirred both applause and debate, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the lifetime revocation of a driver’s license whose SUV was caught counterflowing on the Skyway at 3:32 a.m. last Saturday. The CCTV footage showed the vehicle brazenly overtaking on the wrong lane, endangering oncoming motorists. Dizon’s decision was swift and unequivocal: “This driver’s license cannot be suspended… I have ordered that it be revoked so that his reckless driving will not be repeated”.
But was the punishment proportionate—or excessive?
The law about counterflow
Under Philippine traffic law, counterflowing—defined as driving against the flow of traffic—is a serious violation. Republic Act 4136 and Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 classify it as a grave offense, with escalating penalties:
– ₱2,000 fine + 20 demerit points (1st offense)
– ₱3,000 + 30 points (2nd)
– ₱4,000 + 40 points + 1-year suspension (3rd)
– License revocation for subsequent offenses.
In Metro Manila, MMDA Regulation No. 97-003 adds teeth to enforcement: a ₱2,000 fine, 3-month suspension for the first offense, 6 months for the second, and revocation on the third.
Criminal liability also looms. Under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, reckless counterflow that causes injury or damage may lead to imprisonment or fines. Civil liability follows if negligence results in harm.
Troubled history
The Skyway, a vital artery in Metro Manila’s elevated expressway system, has seen its share of tragedy. Between 2013 and 2024, at least one major mishap each year disrupted the flow of traffic along the 39-klometer tollway.
These incidents underscore the fatal consequences of reckless behavior on elevated roads like the Skyway.
While some argue that a lifetime ban is draconian—especially for a first offense—others see it as a long-overdue deterrent. The Skyway’s design leaves little room for error; a single reckless act can trigger a multi-vehicle disaster.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has the authority to revoke licenses for repeated or egregious violations. In this case, Dizon bypassed the usual escalation and went straight to permanent revocation, citing “manifest indifference” to public safety—a doctrine upheld in previous court rulings.
Dizon’s decision may set a precedent for zero-tolerance enforcement. However, it also raises questions: Should lifetime bans be codified for certain violations? Can technology—dashcams, AI traffic monitors—help prevent such incidents?
For now, the message is clear: the Skyway is no place for shortcuts. And for one SUV driver, the road ends here.
A nation at risk
The World Health Organization places the country’s road traffic fatality rate at 9.7 deaths per 100,000 people, lower than the global average but still alarmingly high.
For example, Davao City recorded 2,598 road crashes from January to July 2025—a 31.3% increase from the same period in 2024.
About 96% of these incidents were due to human error: distracted driving, cellphone use, fatigue, and disregard for traffic rules (counterflowing, for example).
Most affected vehicles: Private cars (37%), motorcycles (21%), and trucks (10%).
In Metro Manila , road crash incidents from January to July 2025 reached alarming levels, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA.
The majority of incidents involved property damage, but over 11,000 resulted in injuries.
Fatalities reached 168 in just seven months, underscoring the urgency of road safety reforms.
MMDA has launched a five-year Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan aiming to reduce fatalities by 35% by 2028.
The Philippines has adopted a national road safety strategy aligned with the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming for an 80% reduction in traffic deaths by 2028. However, enforcement gaps, inconsistent data reporting, and limited infrastructure upgrades hinder progress, according to the UN.
The LTO and MMDA continue to push for stricter penalties, better training for enforcers, and the use of technology like speed cameras and automated ticketing systems.
For now, the message is clear: the Skyway is no place for shortcuts. And for one SUV driver, the road ends here.
