MMDA wants strict anti-drunk driving law implementation

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino wants a strict implementation of the law against drunk driving in Metro Manila.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said that starting March 12, it would begin using alcohol breath analyzer tests on motorists suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tolentino said the enforcement of Republic Act 10586 or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013” on the streets of the Metro should involve more law enforcement personnel in addition to those to be fielded by the LTO.

“Meron po tayong bagong batas tungkol dyan (drunk driving). Ang kailangan ay tamang pagpapatupad, kailangan mas marami, dahil kung limited lang ang mga enforcers natin na magpapatupad, baka hindi kayanin,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino said the MMDA has sufficient personnel to help the LTO enforce the law against drunk driving.

“Sinasabi ko na handa nating tulungan ang LTO,” he said.

According to the LTO, non-professional drivers found with blood alcohol content (BAH) exceeding 0.05 percent will be penalized, while for professional drivers it's 0.01 percent BAH.

LTO spokesperson Jason Salvador said a professional driver who will be found to be driving under the influence of alcohol will have his driver’s license suspended for 12 months. A professional driver meanwhile who is driving a public utility vehicle will have his license to drive revoked should it be proven that he is guilty of drunk driving.

According to the LTO, the breath analyzers, calibrated by the Department of Health, will only be used if the driver fails any of the field sobriety tests.

In the tests, drivers must stand on one foot without falling, walk down a straight line, and follow a moving object using only their eyes.

Should drivers fail any of the field sobriety tests, they must blow into the breath analyzers, which will then print out three copies of the results for the arresting officer, for the driver, and as official file.

Under Republic Act 10586, drivers who injure others while driving under the influence of alcohol must pay a fine of P20,000 to P80,000 and face imprisonment for three months.

Meanwhile, drunk drivers who figure in fatal accidents will face a maximum prison term of 20 years and will be made to pay a fine of between P300,000 and P500,000.

The MMDA earlier proposed the creation of a composite corps of trained traffic enforcers, police officers and LTO agents to implement anti-drunk driving law in Metro streets

According to the MMDA, the most number of major vehicular incidents happen between midnight and 6 a.m. According to the MMDA, this is the period drunk drivers are most likely to be on the road.