Agencies suspend enforcement of Anti-Distracted Driving Act

MANILA, Philippines — Several transportation agencies on Tuesday decided to suspend the enforcement of Republic Act 10913, or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.

In a statement, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said that the board, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office, Metro Manila Development Authority and the PNP Highway Patrol Group will heed the call from both Houses of Congress, being the authors of the law, to defer implementation until guidelines are clarified.

The ADDA was implemented by the DOTr and LTO last May 18.

It prohibits drivers from using communication devices and other electronic, entertainment and computing gadgets while driving or even while waiting for the traffic light to change to green or when idling  at an intersection. The LTO has also banned display of accessories deemed distracting such as bobble heads, rosaries and figurines on vehicle dashboards.

However, a number of senators opposed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of ADDA, saying they went beyond the initial intent of the law, which was to prohibit using drivers from using cellphones while on the road.

Senators JV Ejercito and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also called for the temporary suspension of the law to allow the Senate to review the ADDA's implementing rules.

The DOTr said it will immediately revive its Technical Working Group to conduct a review of the IRR in coordination with concerned stakeholders. It added that after the finalization of the new IRR, it will hold an information and education campaign for motorists.

“In the meantime, we invite the public to continue the constructive discussion on this new law so as to contribute on how we could all better promote road safety, discipline, and responsible driving,” the LTFRB said.