Anti-Distructed Driving Law, Things you need to Know

Republic Act 10913

What is Anti-Distracted Driving Law?
    1. The Anti-Distracted Driving Law under the Republic Act 10913 prohibits drivers from using gadgets and mobile devices to reduce serious vehicular accidents.

Prohibitions:

    1. Drivers are not allowed to read, write, and send text messages and to make or receive calls.
    2. Playing games, watching movies, performing calculations reading e-books, surfing the internet and other similar uses of gadgets is also prohibited.

Exemptions:
    1. Drivers are exempted to use their devices for emergency purposes, emergency call to alaw enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services, agency or entity.

    2. Driver using a mobile phone while operting an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance a fire truck, and other vehicles providing emergency assistance, in the course and scope of his or her duties.

Extent of Coverage:

    1. Drivers can use their gadgets by using voice commands or hands-free control as long as these do not interfere with driver's line of sight.

    2. Applications like Waze, Google Maps and other traffic companion apps should be set to the destination before driving the car. In cases when drivers need to find alternate routes while in traffic, they are advised to first pull their vehicles aside.

    3. Drivers are only allowed to wear earphones when making or receiving calls. Using earphones to listen to music is also prohibited.

Vehicles Covered:
   
    1. The law covers both public and private vehicles.

    2. Wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, habal-habal, trolleys, "kuligligs", wagons, carriages, carts, whether pulled by animal or human-powered that operated in public highways or streets.

Penalties:

    Under RA 10913 Sec.8 any person who shall violate any provision of this Act shall be fined with:

1. P5,000.00 for the first offense
2. P10,000.00 for the second offense
3. P15,000.00 and suspension of driver's license for three months for the third offense.
4. P20,000.00 and revocation of driver's license beyond third offense.

The Implementation Agencies: Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) were mandated to implement this law.

Authorized Agencies: Philippine National Police(PNP), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Local Government Unit(LGU), and authorized agencies to carry out enforcement duties.