LTO: No confusion this time over ADDA

MANILA, Philippines -  Clear rules of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) have resulted in smoother enforcement during the first day of the measure’s reimplementation last Thursday.

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Edgar Galvante said there was “no reported confusion” this time over the violations under RA 10913, unlike its first run almost two months ago.

The first implementation of ADDA was suspended in May, less than a week after it was first enforced, following calls from lawmakers for a review of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) that caused confusion.

Galvante said the revised rules are clearer for both motorists and enforcers, as these stick to the primary provision of the law that prohibits the use of any mobile communications or electronic entertainment device while a motor vehicle is in motion or stopped at a traffic light or intersection.

Enforcers would not apprehend motorists for using other “distracting” accessories since the law does not prescribe it, Galvante explained. 

The use of electronic devices to send text messages, make and receive calls, watch videos, surf the internet, read electronic books or make calculations are prohibited under the law.

The hands-free functions of mobile devices could still be used, especially for navigational aid. 

Authorities advised the public to stop and pull over before operating navigational aids, such as Waze, on their mobile phones or other GPS devices.

A four-inch “safe zone” has also been prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the placement of devices to be used for navigational aids.

Using mobile phones to report a crime, accident, natural calamity or terrorist activity, or to respond to an emergency call, shall be exempted from the provisions of the IRR.

A fine of P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, P15,000 and a three-month suspension of their driver’s license for the third offense and revocation of their license as well as a fine of P20,000 for the succeeding offense are prescribed under the law.

The LTO accosted five violators of the ADDA on the first day of its implementation but they have not compiled data from other enforcement agencies. 

An intensified information campaign regarding violations under ADDA will continue through the next three months. 

Galvante added that enforcers would continue to apprehend motorists for other traffic violations, not only ADDA.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has apprehended more than 100 distracted drivers on the second day of implementation of the ADDA yesterday. 

MMDA lawyer Victor Nuñez said that they apprehended 114 distracted drivers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday while 15 more drivers were nabbed as of 2 a.m. yesterday. 

Nuñez said that 50 percent of those apprehended were motorcycle drivers caught using and holding their cellular phones while on full stop at traffic lights. 

He, however, did not provide a breakdown of the other drivers that were nabbed. 

On a lighter note, Nuñez emphasized that the number of apprehended drivers has drastically decreased, noting that motorists are now aware of the ADDA.  

The ADDA was first implemented in May, but was suspended after the government received public criticisms because of the various interpretations of the law. 

The MMDA, through its no-contact apprehension policy, is closely monitoring distracted drivers on the re-implementation of the ADDA along with the LTO and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Nuñez said the MMDA’s no-contact apprehension operates “24 hours, seven days a week.” But he said the first day re-implementation of the ADDA had data monitored from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  

Asked if they were able to summon the distracted drivers on the first day of implementation of the ADDA, Nuñez said that they are still waiting for two to three days before sending out summons. 

Under the MMDA’s no-contact apprehension policy, drivers will be given seven days to settle or contest their violations before the agency’s traffic adjudication board.

But Nuñez stood firm that they will use the screen shots of the distracted drivers on their “high definition closed circuit television cameras” as evidence of the drivers’ violations. 

He also said that the MMDA will coordinate with the LTO in tracing down the name and address to whom the plate number of the vehicle was registered. With Robertzon Ramirez