Pass HB 1987

We have all seen the viral video of a speeding motorcycle on the wrong ramp of Skyway 3 and colliding head-on with an SUV. The Skyway personnel could not stop the motorcycle because it was too fast. The rider was driving without a helmet and was allegedly drunk when the accident occurred. He was thrown into the air and landed on the street. He was declared dead at the hospital he was taken to. The driver of the SUV who was not at fault thanks to his dashcam was still arrested because of a current law. He was released but still served a day’s jail time. Imagine, he was not at fault and yet he was jailed aside from his vehicle sustaining major damage. Not a good day for someone following the rules of the road.

This is the reason why House Bill 1987 or the Philippine Responsible Driving and Accountability Act, which was proposed by Representative Frederick Siao in 2019, is being pushed. Protection is provided to the driver of the vehicle when it is clear he is not at fault in an accident, such as if the victim is drunk, if the pedestrian crosses at the wrong place, or if the victim crossed the street or highway instead of using a nearby pedestrian footbridge, if the person is not wearing the correct safety equipment and the driver of the vehicle did not leave the scene of the accident plus a few other conditions.

On the other hand, the driver is at fault when he leaves the scene of the accident, is drunk or under the influence of drugs, is speeding, does not have a valid license at the time of the accident, and if the victim is younger than 15 years old.

I don't know why five years have passed since the bill was introduced and yet this law has not been acted on. What did the legislators of the previous administration not like about this law? Are they okay with an innocent driver going to jail in case of injury or death of the victim? If there are conditions they don't approve, why not amend, or change the condition and propose alternatives so the said law can be passed? Who wouldn't be disappointed or angry when you are arrested and jailed even if it was not your fault, such as the Skyway accident? Five years have passed, and they cannot decide on a law that is fair to all. Is someone blocking HB 1987?