97 distracted drivers nabbed

MANILA, Philippines -  The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)'s closed-circuit television cameras caught at least 97 drivers during the start yesterday of the re-implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) through the agency’s no-contact apprehension policy.

Ronnie Rivera, chief of the MMDA’s no-contact apprehension policy, said that as of 3:30 p.m., they were able to monitor 97 distracted drivers on CCTV using and holding cellular phones while driving along EDSA.

Rivera said among those caught were a taxi driver, 51 motorcycle riders, 32 private motorists, three van drivers, three bus drivers and two truck drivers.

Under the MMDA’s no-contact apprehension policy, drivers of both private and public vehicles will be notified of their violations through the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Rivera said that motorists would be given notices of their violations within two to three days after committing the violations.

“Mayroon kasi ang (there is) MMDA connectivity with LTO so we can get the address and determine who is the registered owner of the vehicle based on the plate numbers and that’s where we’ll send the notice,” he said.

MMDA’s lawyer Victor Nuñez said they would also send a copy of the driver’s photo when he committed the violations along with the summons addressed to him.

Nuñez said that motorists who wish to contest their violations would be given the opportunity to take a look at the MMDA’s footage, showing how they used and held their cellular phones while driving.

He said that drivers who wish to ignore their violations with the MMDA risk losing their driver’s license since all their violations will appear on the LTO database.

Asked how many times drivers can be apprehended under the ADDA, Nuñez said that distracted drivers could be arrested multiple times for as long as violations are committed.

He said that a driver could be apprehended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for violating the ADDA and could also be cited by the MMDA’s “no-contact apprehension” if monitored.

“So you better use hands free devices and not use or hold your phones while driving, even in traffic or at a stoplight since you will still be monitored by our CCTVs,” he added.

The government implemented yesterday the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ADDA after it was postponed last May following criticisms from the public.