DRIVING THOUGHTS In Metro Manila where traffic is a daily struggle and road rage is too often normalized, one tool has become a silent but powerful enforcer – the camera. Whether it\'s mounted on a pole, a dashboard, or held by a vigilant citizen, the eye of the lens has become crucial in pushing for accountability on our chaotic roads. Take the recent case of the driver and bodyguard of an undersecretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Caught on video in Quezon City, the security personnel were seen intimidating a civilian driver after a traffic altercation. The official vehicle bore a “10” protocol plate—one meant for ranking government officials—and even had illegal blinkers turned on, suggesting abuse of authority and entitlement on the road. Had this incident not been recorded and widely shared on social media, would we even be discussing it today? Thanks to the footage, public outrage was swift. The DOTr responded by issuing a Notice to Explain to the undersecretary. The involved driver has since been dismissed and had his license suspended for 90 days. Investigations are ongoing. This isn’t an isolated case. Just last March, a video from Bohol went viral showing Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel allegedly harassing and arresting a motorcyclist. In response, former Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon ordered their dismissal. In all these instances, the same formula applies: bad behavior plus camera equals public outcry and (sometimes) official action. That’s why both government-installed CCTV cameras and citizen-owned gadgets are proving to be more than just passive observers. They are becoming deterrents—tools that keep everyone, especially those in power, in check. The reimplementation of the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is a step in the right direction. By relying on traffic cameras to catch violations like beating the red light or illegal parking, authorities reduce the chances of bribery or selective enforcement. While legal challenges to NCAP remain, its core idea is sound: enforcement without face-to-face confrontation. It also serves a psychological purpose. Knowing you’re being watched tends to make drivers behave better. Dashcams, smartphones, and helmet cams have also empowered ordinary citizens to capture reckless driving, counterflowing, illegal parking, and now, abusive behavior from officials and enforcers. Proposals in Congress, such as the "Citizen Traffic Watch Act," aim to formalize the use of dashcam and phone footage as admissible evidence. While cameras help expose wrongdoing, they only work if there’s swift and transparent follow-up. In many cases, the perpetrators are punished temporarily, if at all. The worst outcomes are when low-level employees take the fall while the officials they serve walk away unscathed. Public outrage is often the only thing that compels agencies to act. That’s a problem. If we truly want to instill road discipline, enforcement should not depend on virality. It should be institutionalized: quick investigation, clear communication of sanctions, and penalties that match the offense. The system should work even when no one is watching. The government must expand the use and reach of CCTVs across major thoroughfares, chokepoints, and intersections. It must also support citizen-led reporting through hotlines and digital platforms, and protect whistleblowers and those who submit videos from retaliation. These actions should lead to sanctions to abusers. No one should be above the law—not even officials inside government vehicles. Citizens, on the other hand, must use their gadgets responsibly. They should report violations through proper channels—not just for virality, but for real accountability. Most important, a citizen should lead by example on the road. Discipline starts not just with others, but with ourselves. With Christmas season nearing, Metro Manila’s traffic will only get worse. More cars, more deliveries, more tempers flaring. The temptation to bend rules—beat the light, double park, cut in line—will grow stronger. Now more than ever, discipline is not optional. It is essential. Technology helps. But it is our collective behavior—enforcers, officials, and ordinary drivers alike—that will determine whether our roads become safer or more dangerous during this time. Let the recent viral incidents remind us: someone is always watching. But more than that, let us watch ourselves. Because true discipline begins not with fear of being caught—but with the will to do right, even when no one’s looking. (Email: pinky.colmenares@mb.com.ph)