The Metro Manila Development Authority will begin today (Thursday) apprehending motorists violating the Anti-Distracted Driving Law.
Former President Benigno Aquino III signed in July 2016 Republic Act 10913 which prohibits drivers to use mobile communication devices when behind the wheel and even when stationary during traffic or on stop lights. The law stated that writing, reading, sending a text-based message, making phone calls, or watching movies, surfing the internet, reading an e-book or performing any sort of computation on a mobile device by a motorist is not allowed.
“Yesterday, we have a meeting and we were given copies of the law, distributed to our district officers and briefed them about it. We will start apprehending tomorrow [May 18],” said Victor Nuñez, MMDA legal and legislative staff officer.
“We will deploy men and there will be spotters. In every group, there will be one who will issue citation tickets against violators who will be flagged down when they were caught.”
Nuñez said the first offense has a fine of P5,000, the second offense goes up to P10,000 while P15,000 for the third offense including suspension of the driver’s license for three months and P20,000 for the fourth offense including revocation of the driver’s license.
Heavier penalties that will be imposed for Public Utility Vehicle drivers, and drivers of school service vehicles or drivers of a common carrier of flammable or toxic materials. Those caught in violation within a 50-meter radius of a school will be fined P30,000 and driver’s license suspension for three months.
The law also covers motorcycles, trucks, cargo haulers carrying hazardous or flammable materials; and cyclists, pedicabs, ‘kuligligs’ and animal or human-powered vehicles.
The law, however, clarifies that it is not considered as distracted driving if the driver is not holding the mobile device like when in hands-free function, using the speaker phone, earphones and microphones. Provided, that the placement of the mobile device or hands-free device does not interfere with the line of sight of the driver.
There are also exemptions to the provisions of the law: When used for emergency purposes such as an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, or health emergency.
