Mobile Phones Banned While Driving, 5 Things You Need To Know

Mobile phones and other electronic devices are officially banned while driving as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act now takes effect in the Philippines. The law prohibits and penalizes drivers who use the said devices while operating a vehicle. Here’s what you need to know and what you need to share to anyone who can’t take their hands off their phones rather than off the wheel.

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act was passed into law on July 21, 2016.  It was assigned as Republic Act No. 10913, an act defining and penalizing distracted driving. To read click here. This was made to safeguard people from ruinous and extremely injurious effects of vehicular accidents. It took a year for it to take effect as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) were published in major newspapers nationwide on May 3.

Anti-Distracted Driving Law takes effect, mobile phones banned

Citizens are urged to get educated on what this law is about. Restrictions, penalties, and other information about it are a must-know, now that the Anti-Distracted Driving Law is in effect. For starters, the law applies to all motorists driving any engine-driven public or private vehicles like automobiles, trucks, vans, buses, jeeps, motorcycles, and tricycles. Now, here are five things you need to know right now.

1. The law bans the use of all electronic entertainment and computing devices and mobile communications devices. As stated in RA 10913 Section 3A and 3E, all devices include “any handheld electronic device capable of digital information, processing, recording, capturing or displaying and computing operations such as, but not limited to laptop, computers, tablets, video game consoles, and calculators.” It also includes “cellular phones, wireless telephones, two-way radio transceivers, pagers, and other similar devices capable of transmitting.”

2. The law applies to motorists driving vehicles whether in motion or stopped at a red light. Section 4 of this law says that these electronic or mobile devices are banned whether moving or temporarily stopped at a red light. This applies to whether diplomatic, public, or private vehicles or affairs.

3. The use of the hands-free function of electronic devices of mobile devices is allowed. Section 5 states that “the operation of mobile communications device is not considered to be distracted driving if done using the aid of a hands-free function.” Similar devices such as speaker phone, earphone, and microphones to make calls “provided that the placement of the mobile communications device or the hands-free device does not interfere with the line of sight of the driver.”

4. There are exemptions. The use of mobile or electronic devices are allowed if motorists is making an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergenc service, agency or entity as stated in Section 6A. An exemption also applies to motorists operating an emergency vehicle like ambulance, fire truck, and other vehicles that provide emergency assistance in the course and scope of his or her duties.

5. Penalties. If motorists are caught the following penalties apply: P5,000  for the first offense; P 10,000 for the second offense; P 15,000 and suspension of driver’s license for three (3)  months for the third offense; and P 20,000 and revocation of driver’s license for the fourth offense. To know more about exemptions read full article on the link seen above.

A report by The  Philippine Star says Land Transportation Office Director Romeo Vera Cruz said the Anti-Distracted Driving takes effect on Thursday, May 18, 15 days after the IRR’s publication on May 3. Share this to every driver you know. It pays to be informed.