House OKs drag racing ban for PUV drivers

MANILA, Philippines — Bus and jeepney drivers caught drag racing along thoroughfares face hefty fines and a penalty of one year in prison under a proposed measure approved on second reading by the House of Representatives yesterday.

House Bill 8916, authored by Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo, is expected to be approved on third and final reading next week.

The measure prohibits racing among public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

“This practice has resulted in the senseless and preventable deaths of PUV riders and bystanders,” Castelo said.

She said a law is needed to ban drag racing since it has become common among PUV drivers.

The proposed ban covers public and privates vehicles, according to Castelo.

The ban will also apply to drag racing on a private road unless permitted by the local government unit.

The bill defines drag racing as “a road race involving two or more vehicles driven side by side within a specified distance at accelerating speed with the objective to outdo each other.”

Castelo said it is common among PUV drivers, especially in Metro Manila “to race against each other to pick up passengers.”

The proposed penalty is one year in prison and a fine of P300,000 up to P500,000, or both at the discretion of the court. These would be in addition to other penalties the court may impose for other crimes resulting from drag racing.

The driver’s license of the offender would be suspended for six months. A second offense would result in the violator being perpetually disqualified from getting a driver’s license.

The measure also provides for the impounding of vehicles involved in drag racing. The Land Transportation Office will be mandated to prescribe fees for the storage of impounded vehicles.

Government agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Department of Transportation would work together to ensure enforcement of the drag racing ban.