Senate might review implementation of Anti-Distracted Driving Act

MANILA, Philippines —  Sen. JV Ejercito on Monday called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office to suspend the enforcement of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act until the rules and regulations are clear to motorists.

Ejercito, vice chairman of the Senate Public Services Committee, said the temporary suspension of the implementation of the law will give the agencies time to iron out the guidelines for motorists.

The senator, who also filed the Anti-Dashcam Law at the Senate, said the DOTr complicated the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.

“It seems that DOTr officials misunderstood the essence of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act. They have made matters complicated when it is basically just about banning the use of cellphones while driving,” Ejercito said in a statement.

"It is counterintuitive when using Waze or other navigation apps since the use of cellphone is less dangerous if it is within the line of sight. Every second that the driver's eyes are on the road counts. Mas delikado pa yumuko!" he added.

Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who also wants to temporarily suspend the Anti-Distracted Driving Act for Senate review, agreed that the law's implementing rules and regulations have been expanded beyond the intent of the lawmakers.

“I think it’s time to sit down and study the IRR (implementing rules and regulations), talk about the way we pass the law, really concentrate on talk and text and using the cellphone by driver – that is really the intention of the law,” Sotto said in a recorded interview.

“‘Yung description nila nung line of sight na ultimo mga rosaryo at mga line of sight…they really have to find out what they mean with the line of sight…Na-expand masyado,” he added.

Ejercito said that road accidents caused by using navigational apps are rare but texting and tinkering with mobile phone while driving should be prohibited. He clarified that navigational aids that do not block a driver's view can be allowed.

Sotto, who chair the Senate Committee on Rules, said he will ask the members of the Senate Public Services Committee to exercise its oversight function and discuss the IRR of the law.

“The DOTr should reconsider amending this strict provision before fully implementing the law. I hope that with all the confusion that this law has caused, the DOTr and LTO would heed this call,” Ejercito said.

The DOTr and LTO ordered the implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act  last May 18. The act was authored by former senators Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Sergio Osmeña III.

The law 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.