Stricter PMS proposed for trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles

Poorly maintained trucks and buses have been the cause of numerous accidents throughout the years. We always hear the regular excuses that the brakes failed, something malfunctioned with the engine, or the steering was unresponsive. Then at times, the driver flees the scene and we tend to forget the incident until the next one occurs. 

Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera-Dy wants to change that with House Bill 2008. The “Heavy Vehicle Preventive Maintenance Act of 2022” basically requires all heavy vehicles periodically checked to keep them in tip-top shape. The bill aims to set a standard when it comes to these heavy vehicles that should be followed strictly while the vehicle is in use. Car owners know about the importance of Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) and most if not all, owners religiously follow the schedule given by the car manufacturer.

The bill will require these heavy vehicles to be inspected regularly and companies will also keep records to prove that the vehicle is maintained properly when inspected by governing bodies. The solon tasks the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to head these inspections and do regular follow-ups with the companies. The company's PMS records shall also be accessible for investigation if their vehicles are involved in accidents or are in question.  

Section 8 of the bill will promote education and practical learning on PMS via a combined effort of agencies like the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Local Government Units (LGUs), barangays, driving schools, and the academe. They will also be tasked with simulations, seminars, and short courses, and to make other media readily available to drivers. They may even be asked to put it in the curriculum for people applying for a professional driver's license. 

Any company to be found guilty of not keeping their vehicles up to standard will have a PHP 500,000 fine in addition to having their business permits and licenses suspended or canceled. 

Congresswoman Herrera-Dy can’t stress enough the importance of the PMS for heavy vehicles and if this is passed and turned into law, we hopefully could have more responsible owners and truck drivers on the road. Road safety is a subject not limited to just bikes, scooters, motorcycles, cars, and SUVs, but should be shared by everyone using the road.