Many motorists in Metro Manila have developed the habit of violating traffic laws for two common reasons: first, the absence of traffic enforcers, and second, sheer convenience. This mindset often leads to behaviors such as parking in clearly marked 'No Parking' zones simply because the spot happens to be right in front of a favored establishment. The logic is disturbingly simple: if there’s no enforcer in sight, then committing a traffic violation must be acceptable. Of course, it isn’t. But when no one appears to be watching, many choose to ignore the rules anyway.

As for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), some traffic violations are just committed by motorists far too often, and have come up with its own top 5 traffic violation list for 2025.

According to MMDA’s Traffic Ticket Management Division, Illegal Turning tops the list. In MMDA's dictionary, illegal turning refers to a range of improper maneuvers, such as making a turn from the wrong lane, failing to use turn signals, or disregarding traffic signs like “No Left Turn” or “No Right Turn,” including “No Right Turn on Red Signal.” It also includes improper turning at intersections. The penalty is PHP 150.

Second on the list is Unattended Illegal Parking, which is arguably the most self-explanatory of all violations. This occurs when a vehicle is parked in a designated No Parking zone and left unattended. Once spotted, the MMDA issues a citation, and it carries a PHP 2,000 fine. In more serious cases, MMDA Special Operations teams may tow the vehicle and bring it to one of their impounding areas, typically in Pasay or Marikina.

Third on the MMDA’s list is Disregarding Traffic Signs, more commonly referred to as DTS. This violation occurs when drivers ignore road signs such as stop signs, yield signs, or other regulatory and directional indicators. Under MMDA rules, DTS is subject to a penalty of PHP 1,000 for the first offense and the same amount for all subsequent offenses.

Fourth on the list is a Number Coding Scheme violation. Simply put, the Number Coding Scheme is a traffic rule that restricts vehicles from using major roads on certain weekdays based on the last digit of their license plate, mainly to ease traffic congestion during peak hours. For example, vehicles ending in 1 or 2 are coded on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays. If your plate number is coded for the day and you’re caught on restricted roads during the covered hours, it’s a violation. Notably, Makati City enforces its own coding scheme from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with no window hours.

Finally, rounding out the top five most common traffic violations in 2025, according to the MMDA, is Attended Illegal Parking. This is essentially the same as Unattended Illegal Parking, except the driver is still present in the vehicle. The violation carries a PHP 1,000 fine—money that could have been far better spent had the driver simply chosen to park properly in a designated parking area instead of opting for convenience.

The MMDA hopes that this year, Filipino drivers and motorcycle riders will become more disciplined and consistently obey traffic laws, thereby helping to ensure a smoother traffic flow and safer roads for all road users.