WHILE riding in a Grab vehicle headed to an event in Bonifacio Global City, we were sideswiped — seemingly with extreme malice — by a reckless driver who came in fast from the right lane. He cut into the divider exactly at the gore, splitting the ramp to Pasay Road and the lane descending into the Ayala Tunnel.
My Grab pilot, driving defensively, gave way but said, “Hala, baka ma-Visor ka!” — glancing at his dash cam as he muttered his “threat.” That got me thinking. Is Visor.ph (or any dash or smart camera footage uploaded on social media) a silent guardian watching over our daily drives or commutes? Other video uploaders push content for popularity or monetary gain. I give credence to Visor because I see the daily postings online and know that the videos are curated — not just irresponsible placements for personal vendetta or content for money.
This thought comes as the reality hits me: roads across the country are a fierce and lawless jungle.
We’ve all been victims of the luxury SUV cutting across three lanes with impunity; the politician’s convoy with motorcycle escorts, blinkers flashing and sirens tooting, blatantly disregarding traffic lights; or the big bike rider weaving recklessly through tight spaces as if rules didn’t apply. We call this entitlement.
But we are also maligned by the cyclist who does not pay attention to road signs or traffic lights; the elderly e-trike lady driver with her apos as she recklessly crosses from lane to lane along Roxas Blvd.; the student pedestrian glancing at her phone as she crosses the four lanes of Taft Ave., unaware — or inattentive — that the light has already turned red; or the motorcyclist rushing through the bus lane and escaping the clutches of the law by hiding behind other vehicles along EDSA. (That’s another story for another time.) Isn’t this entitlement, too? There is a sickening sense of helplessness when we witness this.
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Suddenly, those brazen acts of entitlement have found an audience — and not just any audience. It is now a digital jury of thousands, armed with keyboards and a shared sense of injustice. On Visor.ph, however, it’s not about public shaming. It’s about awareness.
Whether it is a lowly sedan or a high-end SUV, a Lalamove delivery motorcycle or a glitzy big bike — the license plates are blurred. Some may say this has to do with the personal experience of the site owner. But he has admitted to that wrongdoing. He suffered for it and has apologized profusely, too. He said many times that he learned from it. The only identifier of the offending vehicle cannot be seen because Visor.ph is all about justice.
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“Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” It is the kind of justice that is forgiving.
I read a comment: “If you really wanted to be public service, you should show the plate license [sic].” I don’t think that is the point. One argument is that bad driving behavior becomes systemic only because offenders “get away with it.” But Visor understands that video postings are a tool for information, not one for retribution or prosecution. That’s for the law to do. The Land Transportation Office (LTO), for example, can request (they cannot demand, as these videos are private) and review, identify, and use the images as evidence to suspend or even revoke driving privileges.
Are aggressive driving maneuvers — which might get you to your destination a minute faster — worth being the next viral “kamote” driver or rider? Quite a number have publicly faced fines or even a suspended license. The fear of public exposure, coupled with the very real possibility of official action from the LTO, has, I believe, made many drivers think twice.
The Grab driver who took me to The Shang in BGC told me he’d rather be behaved than become an object of spite. I can only guess this isn’t just about fear; it’s about the erosion of anonymity. Mobile data makes every dash cam a potential witness, and every smartphone a potential platform for justice. Presenting the unvarnished truth, caught on video, strips away privilege and forces accountability. It reminds everyone — regardless of their societal standing — that the laws of the road apply to all.
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Of course, no tool is perfect. Issues of privacy, countering mob mentality, and the ethical lines of public shaming make road users slightly more cautious, slightly less inclined to pull a risky stunt. I see a community more aware, more vocal, and more empowered to demand safer roads. And for that, I’m genuinely thankful.
“Hala, baka ma-Visor ka!” isn’t just a meme. Nor is it just a warning whispered among drivers.
It is a collective desire for safer, more disciplined driving. Leveraging the power of social media to achieve it, it is clearly a significant influence on Philippine road culture.
