Driver stops in the middle of NLEX to move dog, endangers motorists

UPDATE: As of 6:15 PM, March 4, 2026, the LTO has issued a show-cause order to the driver who stopped in the middle of NLEX and has suspended their driver's license for 90 days.

Expressways are called as such for a reason. Expressways are called “expressways” because they’re built to help drivers get from one place to another faster and with fewer interruptions. Unlike regular roads with traffic lights, intersections, and pedestrian crossings, expressways have entry and exit ramps and no stoplights, so vehicles can keep moving at higher speeds, hence the name “express.”

In the Philippines, expressways are meant to keep traffic moving fast, with a minimum speed of 60 km/h and a maximum of 100 km/h. They’re built for continuous flow and not sudden stops.

Yet recently, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has been receiving videos of motorists stopping in the middle of these high-speed roads, putting not only themselves and their passengers at risk, but also other drivers traveling at expressway speeds.

One particular video stood out when a motorist brought her vehicle to a full stop on what appeared to be the busy North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), then stepped out to move what looked like a dog that had been struck on the roadway, an act that, while seemingly compassionate, created a very, very dangerous situation in the middle of fast-moving traffic.

SCO issued

While the first video drew heavy criticism online, with some netizens calling the driver “irresponsible” and “suicidal,” another motorist nearly repeated the same dangerous stunt, this time along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). A Nissan Navarra pickup suddenly stopped in what appeared to be the fast lane, nearly triggering a multiple-vehicle collision.

Initial LTO investigation revealed the pickup was traveling around 80 km/h before it abruptly stopped, forcing trailing vehicles, which include a passenger bus and a truck, to slam on their brakes to avoid a crash, putting all occupants at serious risk.

The LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division has already issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) requiring the driver and registered owner to appear and submit a sworn explanation for the reckless driving incident, and to justify why the driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked for being unfit to operate a motor vehicle.

Meanwhile, the driver’s license has been suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle has been put on alarm status while the investigation continues, sending a clear message that stopping in the middle of high-speed expressways is a serious road safety issue and will not be tolerated by the LTO.