The Anti-Distracted Driving Act (No Texting While Driving)

To be safe on the road, we have been reminded not to text while driving.  With the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act” which lapsed into law on July 2016 – using mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other gadgets while driving or when the vehicle is temporarily stopped at a stoplight is now illegal except during emergencies. The law applies to diplomatic, public, and private vehicles including motorcycles and tricycles.

If followed or religiously implemented, this law is good for us travelers. While driving, it is an absolute must that we keep our eyes on the road for our safety and others.  Accidents happen in just a matter of seconds. Just like in chess, a few seconds of distraction is what it takes for a very disastrous ending. In fact, there is a report by the Highway Patrol Group that “driver error” (as a result of distraction or being sleepy on the road) was the cause of around 12,620 road deaths between 2010 and 2011.

Violation of this act is penalized with fines ranging from (1) five thousand pesos for the first offense; (2) ten thousand pesos for the second offense; and (3) fifteen thousand pesos for the third offense with suspension of driver’s license for three months. The penalties provided under the law are without prejudice to other offenses committed as a result of the violation. Imagine the very hefty fine if you are caught using your cellphone while driving!

However, if you are caught using your phone while driving, you will not be violating this law if you are using your phone for emergency purposes such as making a call to the police or fire department or you are driving an ambulance or fire truck in the performance of your duty. Further, If you really need to use your cellphone or gadgets while driving without violating this law, use the speaker!. This law says that the use of communication devices is not considered distracted driving if done with the use of a “hands-free function” such as speakerphones, earphones and microphones.

Anyway, if for example, you are caught calling your wife to inform her that you would be very late for dinner because of the traffic, are you still exempted? Another thing about this law is how it can be enforced with respect to vehicles that are heavily tinted? I hope these matters are clarified in the implementing rules to be issued soon.