A bill seeking to protect responsible drivers from unjust detention and address the menace of reckless driving has been filed at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 10679, also known as the Defensive Driving Act of 2024 or the “Anti-Kamote Driver Law,” was authored by Rep. Margarita Nograles of party-list Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA).
Under the proposed law, drivers involved in traffic accidents will not be detained if they can immediately present evidence of their defensive driving.
Acceptable evidence includes dashcam footage, CCTV recordings, or any other video or photographic proof showing compliance with traffic laws before and during the incident.
The proposed measure would amend Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code to prevent the detention of drivers who can provide proof of their defensive driving, thereby avoiding unnecessary mental, physical, and financial distress.
Nograles noted, however, the bill also ensures that while innocent drivers are protected from unjust detention, they are not absolved of any civil or criminal liabilities arising from the incident. Victims and their families retain the right to pursue legal action.
