The Metro Manila Development Authority, using its high-definition cameras, caught more than 70 drivers using their mobile phones and gadgets while on the wheel on Thursday, the first day of the full implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Law.
In its latest advisory, the MMDA public information office reported that the agency’s personnel from the Metro Base, where the monitors of its Closed-Circuit Television cameras are installed, initially caught 51 motorists from 6 a.m. to noon on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
Twenty-six other drivers were caught from noon to 3 p.m., and most of them were using gadgets while driving private cars and motorcycles.
In apprehending violators, the MMDA decided to use the high-tech cameras that can monitor lights from devices inside heavily tinted cars, to determine if the drivers are using their mobile phones and other electronic devices while on the road.
Republic Act 10913 prohibits both private and public utility drivers from using mobile communication devices when behind the wheel and even when stationary during traffic or on stop lights.
It states 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.
“Violators will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, the second offense goes up to P10,000, while the fine is 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,” said MMDA legal and legislative affairs staff Victor Nuñez.
The law also covers motorcycles, trucks, cargo haulers carrying hazardous or flammable materials, cyclists, pedicabs, “kuligligs” (makeshift tricycles), and animal or human-powered vehicles.
The law, however, clarifies 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. The placement of the mobile device or hands-free device, however, must 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, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services, agency or entity; and,
• When operating an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, fire truck, and other vehicles providing emergency assistance.
Meanwhile, starting today authorities will fully implement a policy prohibiting small children from riding motorcycles as passengers.
Under Republic Act 10666 or Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015, two-wheeled motorcycle riders may not be allowed to drive a motorcycle with a small child on board.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations stipulate that only children whose feet can reach the foot peg, could wrap their arms around the driver’s waist, and wear protective gear such as a helmet, may be allowed to ride on a motorcycle with an adult.
The law covers all public roads, including roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles, where there is a high-density of fast-moving vehicles, or where the speed limit is more than 60 kilometers per hour. An exception applies only to cases where a child to be transported requires immediate medical attention.
Violators will be fined P3,000 on their first offense, P5,000 on their second offense, and P10,000 on their third offense and suspension of driver’s license for a month. Beyond the third offense, violators will have their licenses revoked.
Both laws were created to ensure the safety of motorist and pedestrians, and prevent or lessen the increasing number of road accidents, the MMDA noted. The government believes this “proactive and preventive approach will also secure the safety of passengers, especially children,” it added.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2015 Global Status Report on Road Safety, 53 percent of reported road fatalities in the Philippines involved motorcycle riders.