James Deakin expresses frustration as LTO clarifies rules on reckless driving

• Road safety vlogger James Deakin criticized the LTO for charging his son with reckless driving after a lane violation on Skyway Stage 3
• The LTO defended the penalty and the one-month license suspension by stating that the 15-day settlement window includes holidays and weekends
• LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao revealed that the vehicle driven by the teenager allegedly lacked the proper registration and sales documents
• The Anti-Red Tape Authority is now looking into the matter while the apprehending officer has been placed under temporary suspension

The digital world is buzzing after road safety advocate James Deakin shared a frustrating experience involving his son and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). It all started on December 18, 2025, when Deakin's 19-year-old son, a relatively new driver, missed an exit on Skyway Stage 3. In an attempt to correct his path, the teenager crossed a double yellow line to reach the Quezon Avenue exit, leading to an immediate pull-over by a traffic enforcer.

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Deakin, who has always championed following the law, told his son to face the music. However, he was stunned when the violation was categorized as "reckless driving" rather than a simple lane violation. “That’s what hurt the most. I was trying to teach him the right thing to do and then you see this very arbitrary decision that was made that could affect his future,” Deakin shared. He expressed worry that such a heavy charge could lead to a criminal record for a young driver just starting out.

The situation grew even more complicated when the Christmas holidays hit. Deakin tried to settle the fine but found the relevant LTO offices closed. By the time they returned on January 5, they were told they had exceeded the 15-day limit, which apparently includes weekends and holidays. This resulted in a mandatory one-month license suspension. “I said, Christmas is included? Sunday, new year’s day, Rizal day? All of it, yes. I said that’s absurd! Am I being Punk’d?” Deakin vented, questioning the fairness of counting days when the government offices themselves were shut.

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On Wednesday, January 7, LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao broke his silence to present the agency’s side. He stood firm on the "reckless driving" tag, explaining that sudden lane changes over double yellow lines are dangerous maneuvers. “Yung sa reckless driving, yung biglang change of lanes, yung pagpasok, lalo na pag tumawid ka (sa double yellow line), nasa ticket natin yan na mag-aano yan ng reckless,” he explained.

But the biggest twist came when Lacanilao addressed the car’s documentation. According to the LTO Chief, the teenager was driving a car that wasn't even supposed to be on the road yet. He claimed the papers presented were only from the importer to the dealer, not a proper sales invoice or OR/CR. “Yan ay hindi pa naibebenta sa labas, sa tao, at hindi yan dapat minamaneho sa kalye kasi walang kaukulang papeles,” the Chief added.

James Deakin is a highly respected figure in the Philippine motoring community. For years, he has used his vlogs and columns to educate the public on road safety and automotive trends. Known for his "no-nonsense" approach to traffic discipline, this incident has sparked a massive debate among his followers about whether the system is truly designed to help or simply to penalize.

As this story continues to develop with the involvement of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), it reminds us of other notable road-related stories that have recently captured the public's attention.

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In a much lighter story, James Deakin previously turned to social media to find a toll attendant who went above and beyond to help him. The vlogger wanted to personally thank and reward the individual for their honesty and professional behavior during a routine trip. This story served as a reminder that despite the daily stress of traffic, there are still exemplary workers on our highways.

Safety on the road remains a hot topic, as seen in the case of a female driver from Cagayan de Oro who trended for a very different reason. The driver faced a potential license suspension after a video surfaced showing her brandishing a firearm during a heated traffic altercation. The LTO took swift action to investigate the incident, emphasizing that road rage and illegal possession of weapons have no place in a disciplined driving environment.

Source: KAMI.com.gh