MANILA, Philippines — Check your vehicles before hitting the road.

This was the timely advice of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to motorists several days before Christmas, a season wherein a monstrous traffic jam could crop up in virtually any road.

“We are asking motorists to really check their vehicles. We're talking about roadworthiness," MMDA spokesperson Tina Velasco said.

Velasco said that it is important for motorists to check their vehicles as a precautionary measure and thus avoid the nightmare scenario of their automobiles bogging down in the highway.

She said that stalled vehicles could have a “domino effect” making a traffic jam all the more worse. She said that cases of vehicles suddenly stalling along major thoroughfares has increased this Christmas season.

Apparently, the MMDA floated the suggestion of raising the penalty for illegally parked or stalled vehicles as a way of prodding the motorists to check their vehicles more often and ensure that they are running smoothly.

“That's why the matter of higher penalties was brought during (the) meeting of the Metro Manila Council (MMC),” Velasco said.

The MMC, composed of the 17 local chief executives of Metro Manila, is the policy-making body of the MMDA.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino reiterated that illegally parked vehicles and those that suffer malfunction while on national highways greatly contribute to traffic congestion, especially during this holiday rush.

“These vehicles get stalled in the roads because most probably, their engines are not properly maintained,” Tolentino said.

“We are only hoping that motorists, including public utility vehicle (PUV) operators, would be more responsible in maintaining the road worthiness of their motor vehicles.”

But Velasco said it may take time before the bigger penalties are implemented because the MMDA is still drawing up the implementing rules on the matter.