If you’ve got this nasty habit of making calls or texting while behind the wheel, then we suggest you ditch this practice—now! .That’s because Republic Act 10913, more popularly known as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, will take effect on Thursday, May 18, 2017.
The said bill, which was passed by the Senate around a year ago, aims to make our roads a lot safer by making drivers more focused on the task of driving. By removing distractions, particularly “mobile communications devices that are used to write, send, or read text-based communication, or to receive calls and other similar acts”, well as those used to play games, read e-books, surf the net, and the like, authorities are hoping to reduce the number of accidents caused by said distractions.
But with our ever-connected lifestyle, the law allows drivers to utilize said devices, provided they have a speakerphone, or earphone and mic. Moreover, these devices should not be in the driver’s line of sight. And yes, you still can’t use your device even if you’re stopped at a red light or are pulled over on the side of the road in compliance with a traffic violation. Needless to say, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and the like who use these gadgets in the line of duty are exempted.
In the event that you can’t resist holding your phone and get caught red-handed while driving, be prepared to pay the corresponding fines and penalties:
Frist Offense: P5,000
Second Offense: P10,000
Third Offense: P15,000 and three-month suspension of driver’s license
Fourth Offense: P20,000 and revocation of driver’s license
So put those mobile devices down and keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
