No arrest under suspended anti-distracted driving law — LTFRB

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday assured the public that there would be no apprehensions under the suspended Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) until the law’s implementing guidelines are reviewed and ironed out.

Motorists apprehended before the suspension of RA 10913 on Tuesday would not be issued tickets or notices for their violations, LTFRB spokesperson Aileen Lizada said.

She said a technical working group which will review the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ADDA is set to convene next week at the earliest.

The suspension and review of the ADDA came after it set off confusion among the public, law enforcers and lawmakers on what are considered violations under the law. 

Members of the House committee on transportation gave the go signal to suspend the implementation of ADDA to review its IRR during a meeting with officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr).  

Provisions on the use of cellular phones and other gadgets as navigational tools still need to be clarified by the IRR, Lizada said.

“The IRR should be clear enough that there is no more room for misinterpretation and law enforcers should be guided accordingly,” she told reporters. 

Prohibitions under the ADDA include making or receiving calls, texting, playing games, surfing the internet, as well as reading e-books. 

An intensified information and education campaign will be undertaken by law enforcement agencies before the full implementation of the ADDA, Lizada said.