House Independent Bloc leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday voiced concern over the rising incidence of alcohol-induced accidents, especially during the Holiday season even as he urged the public to take precaution and protect themselves on the road.
“Since drunk driving seems part of our holiday season which is celebrated longer in the Philippines, I am appealing for ‘masalakit’ driving because many lives are at stake here. Let us enjoy these days bonding with our loved ones and friends with care and responsibility,” Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, said.
“Please, do not drink when you have to drive or find a driver because a sound decision can save your life and the lives of others,” said Romualdez, a senatorial aspirant.
Romualdez called on the authorities to step up the implementation of Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, stressing drunk driving is one of the most frequently committed violent crimes in the country today.
“Our laws must be reinforced right away to address the problem of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or illegal substance because this [drunk driving] has always been a serious public-safety issue,” Romualdez said, adding that studies show that road accidents in the country are behind the deaths of two people everyday.
“Let us fight intoxicated driving as a show of malasakit to our people because this is always a cause for worry. The safety of defensive drivers and their passengers are not assured because of irresponsible drivers,” Romualdez explained.
Under the implementing rules and regulations issued by the Transportation department under RA 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, violators face penalties ranging from three months to 20 years in prison and fines of P20,000 to P500,000.
The law also prescribes a 12-month suspension of non-professional driver’s license for the first offense and perpetual revocation for the second offense for violators.
For professional drivers, the law provides that a first offense would result in perpetual revocation of license.
The law limits the allowable blood alcohol level to below 0.05 percent for most drivers.
The law also mandates that drivers of public utility vehicles, trucks, buses and motorcycles are not allowed to have any amount of alcohol in their blood since people’s lives are in their hands.
It also provides for mandatory alcohol and drug testing of drivers involved in accidents that result in death or physical injuries.
The Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act also empowers the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to conduct random testing of public utility drivers at transport terminals nationwide.
An apprehended driver who is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol will undergo eye test or the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn test and the one-leg stand.