No Cellphone While Driving Law starts on May 18

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act that became a law last August 1, 2016 will now be enforced starting May 18, 2017.

Any driver caught using a cellphone while he/she is in the driver’s seat will be apprehended and fined. This includes using the phone even if the car is not moving while on a stop light or in a middle of a heavy traffic (incidentally, just this afternoon, a MAPSA officer warned us about this violation and stated it is already in effect in Makati, though we corrected him that it should be May 18).

Here are the fines:

1st offense: Php5,000USD 85INR 7,223EUR 81CNY 621 fine
2nd offense: Php10,000USD 170INR 14,446EUR 162CNY 1,241 fine
3rd offense: Php15,000USD 256INR 21,669EUR 243CNY 1,862 fine + 3 months suspension of license
4th offense: Php20,000USD 341INR 28,892EUR 325CNY 2,482 fine + revocation of driver’s license

There are also exemptions to this rule as stated here.

Updated: Everything you need to know about the Anti-Distracted Driving Law

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

10 Comments

NotASheep says:

8 years ago

What about uber drivers? they HAVE to use their smartphones.
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Abe Olandres says:

8 years ago

We posted a link to exceptions at the end of the article.

Maryanne says:

8 years ago

The list of exemptions has only two cases. It does not include the use of navigation apps on mobile phones.
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Peejay says:

8 years ago

What about if one is updating or sending an alert on Waze: traffic situation, hazard?
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Abe Olandres says:

8 years ago

Here is the list of exemptions: http://www.yugatech.com/cars-transportation/anti-distracted-driving-act-lapses-into-law/

Dennis says:

8 years ago

Exception are vehicle with heavily tinted.
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JeepneyDriver says:

8 years ago

What about Jeepney drivers who have done this far longer than device users? Should they be allowed to receive payments with the other hand while driving and in motion? I guess distraction has become some political fad of sorts.
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Drex says:

8 years ago

How can you enforce it? If other road laws are not even enforced? For example: pub overspeeding? Cars motorcycles counterflowing, illegal parking or obstruction especially ortigas la salle?
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