MANILA – A coalition of drivers and operators of public utility vehivles is set to ask the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of higher fines for traffic violations. The Samahan Ng Mga Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization (Stop & Go) said it will file today a petition for a temporary restraining order against the joint administrative order by the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Land Transportation Office which imposes higher fines for traffic violations. The group believes the new order will only encourage corrupt traffic enforcers to step up their illegal activities. The LTO earlier said it has decided to increase the fines in order to deter motorists from committing traffic violations. Violations which used to cost a motorist P200 have been increased to as high as P1,000. These violations include parking in front of a private driveway, allowing passengers on top of a motor vehicle, failing to dim headlights when approaching another motor vehicle, and carrying two or more passengers in a motorcycle, among others. Drivers who will be caught under the influence of alcohol, aside from being fined, will also have his or her license confiscated and suspended for a year. Reckless drivers, meanwhile, will be fined P2,000. Succeeding offenses will require a fine of P10,000. In addition, the license of a reckless driver may be suspended for 3 to 6 months. Failure of a motorcycle rider and passenger to wear helmet merits a P1,500 fine for the first offense and P5,000 for succeeding offenses. Drivers of vehicles found to have defective accessories, devices, equipment, and parts such as horns, blinkers, brakes, early warning devices, mirrors, lights, speedometer, wipers, and license plates will be fined P5,000. Public utility driver drivers who will refuse to render service to a passenger, not give due discounts, and/or overcharge may be fined P1,000. Their operators will also be fined P5,000. Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will not hesitate to cancel an operator's certificate of public convenience if a violation is committed for the third time. A temporary operator's permit will be given to a PUV to operate a motor vehicle for a period of 72 hours. However, failure of the driver to pay the corresponding penalty within 15 days from the date of the apprehension shall result in the automatic suspension of his driver's license for 30 days. – report from Dexter Ganibe, dzMM