A reckless motorcyclist who tried to evade a traffic stop in the EDSA bus lane has landed himself in serious legal trouble, facing multiple charges after colliding with both an officer and a cyclist.

The chaotic scene unfolded last February 7 at Ortigas northbound, when officers tried to flag the rider down for his busway violation. Instead of stopping, he accelerated and even hit a Department of Transportation (DOTr) Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT) officer who subsequently fell to the ground and suffered injuries. He also hit a cyclist during his getaway, later claiming brake failure as reason for his erratic behavior.

(This story should not be mistaken for an earlier incident last week in which another motorcyclist also attempted to escape authorities. That story may be read here.)

Unsurprisingly, authorities weren’t best pleased with this Evel Knievel impression and wasted no time in tracking down and arresting the rider, who was taken into custody by the Coast Guard Investigation and Detention Management Service. After receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital, he was subjected to questioning at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office before being transferred to the Coast Guard’s detention facility in Taguig.

Now, he faces a slew of legal consequences. Among the charges filed against him are:

• Resistance and disobedience to an agent of persons in authority (Article 151, Revised Penal Code). This offense carries a penalty of up to six months of imprisonment and a fine of up to P100,000.

• Direct assault against an agent of persons in authority (Article 148, Revised Penal Code). A more serious charge that could result in up to six years in prison if the assault was committed without a weapon, or even longer if aggravating circumstances apply.

• Abandonment of one’s own victim (Article 275, Revised Penal Code). Leaving an injured person without providing assistance could result in up to six months in prison.

• Reckless driving (Section 48, RA 4136). A charge that, upon conviction, carries fines ranging from P2,000 to P10,000, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

• Slight physical injuries. Filed separately in court, this charge covers harm caused to the cyclist and the officer, with penalties that can include fines or short-term imprisonment, depending on the severity of the injuries.

The case serves as yet another example of how reckless road behavior and disregard for traffic laws have real and immediate consequences. While Metro Manila’s traffic situation is already a daily battle, incidents like these make it clear why strict enforcement is necessary. The EDSA busway exists to streamline public transport and ensure smoother commutes for hundreds of thousands of passengers. Drivers and riders who think they can outmaneuver the law and use it for their own shortcuts put everyone at risk.

Beyond this specific incident, the government’s continued efforts to enforce road discipline need to go hand-in-hand with improving public transport options. While catching reckless riders is crucial, preventing these behaviors in the first place through better road design, stricter licensing requirements, and education campaigns is just as important. Until then, expect more headlines about lawless drivers learning the hard way that traffic rules are not mere suggestions.