THE Transportation Department on Wednesday issued revised rules against distracted driving in a bid to lessen road accidents.
The rules take effect on July 6.
The Anti-Distracted Driving Law under Republic Act 10913 describes “distracted driving” as the motorists’ use of their mobile communication devices, electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while their vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped by a traffic light in an intersection.
According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations, making or receiving calls, writing, sending or reading text-based communications, playing games, watching movies, performing calculations, reading e-books, composing messages, and surfing or browsing the internet are prohibited while driving.
“A motorist holding a mobile communications device or an electronic entertainment or computing device in a motor vehicle in motion, or temporarily stopped at a traffic light or any intersection, shall be prima facie presumed to be engaged in distracted driving,” the law says.
Motorists, however, are allowed to apply hands-free functions or applications in the use of such devices or gadgets so long as these do not interfere with their line of sight.
Aside from public and private vehicles, the law also covers wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, “habal-habal”, “kuligligs”, wagons, carriages and carts that may either be human-powered or pulled by an animal”•as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets.
This law takes exemption when motorists use their mobile phones in making or taking an emergency call from/to: a law enforcement agent/agency to report a crime or prohibited act, accident, natural calamity, bomb threat, terrorist activities and the like; a government or non-government medical or health care provider on emergency and rescue situations; or to a fire department in cases of fire or explosion.
Violators will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 for the third offense with a three-month suspension of their driver’s license.
After the third offense, a driver will be fined P20,000 and his license will be revoked.
Owners and operators of Public Utility Vehicles and commercial vehicles found in violation of the law will both be held liable.