Anti-Distracted Driving Act bill lapses into law

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act is now a law which would prohibit and penalize “distracted driving” like using your mobile or electronics devices while operating a vehicle.

Back in May, the Senate has approved on its final reading SBN 3211, or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act. Now a law, it is now assigned as Republic Act No. 10913.

According to the new law, distracted driving refers to the performance by a motorist of any of the following acts in a motor vehicle in motion or temporarily stopped at a red light, whether diplomatic, public or private:

• Using a mobile communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication or to make or receive calls, and,

• Using an electronic entertainment or computing device to play games, watch movies, surf the internet, compose messages, read e-books, perform calculations, and other similar acts.

However, it is not considered as distracted driving if you’re not holding the mobile device like when in hands-free function, using the speaker phone, earphones and microphones. Provided, that the placement of the mobile device or hands-free device does not interfere with the line of sight of the driver.

There are a few exemptions to the provisions of the act:

• When used for emergency purposes such as an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services, agency or entity; and,

• When operating an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, fire truck, and other vehicles providing emergency assistance.

Violators of this act will be penalized with a fine of Php5,000USD 85INR 7,223EUR 81CNY 621 for the first offense, Php10,000USD 170INR 14,446EUR 162CNY 1,241 for the second offense, Php15,000USD 256INR 21,669EUR 243CNY 1,862 with suspension of driver’s license for 3 months for the third offense, and Php20,000USD 341INR 28,892EUR 325CNY 2,482 with revocation of driver’s license for the final offense.