More than a month after the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) was deferred, the Department of Transportation announced that full implementation will start on July 6. The department previously released a revised set of rules and regulations on June 9, following heavy criticism from different sectors about unclear and confusing regulations.
According to an ABS-CBN report, the new set of guidelines clarifies prohibition and also designated a “safe zone” for gadgets on a vehicle’s dashboard. The department also shared through social media the important points to remember about the law.
5 Things To Know About Anti-Distracted Driving Act
1. What does the Anti-Distracted Driving Act cover?
According to the department’s official Facebook page, the law prohibits the use of mobile communication devices (mobile phones, two-way radios, pagers, and the like) and electronic entertainment gadgets (tablets, laptops, gaming devices and the like) while the vehicle is in motion, temporarily stopped in traffic or an intersection.
Among the activities covered by the law are making or taking calls, reading or sending text message, watching movies, reading e-books, playing games, reading or sending e-mail and surfing the Internet.
2. What is the “safe zone?”
When the law was first implemented in May, mobile devices and other gadgets such as dash cameras were not allowed on a vehicle’s dashboard. With the revised rules, however, a safe zone has been designated which allows gadgets to be placed within 4 inches from the edge of the dashboard. This is the designated safe zone, beyond which is already the line of sight of the driver. Dash cameras are allowed as long as they are placed behind the rearview mirror.
3. Hands-free devices and navigation apps allowed
Motorists may use their phones as long as they are not holding it and are using hands-free devices such as earphones or through the car’s speakers. As for navigation apps such as Waze, this will be allowed as well so long as it has been set or programmed before leaving.
4. What vehicles are covered by the act?
All public and private vehicles are included. This is not just limited to cars, but also includes “wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, “habal-habal”, “kuligligs”, wagons, carriages, and carts that may either be human-powered or pulled by an animal as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets.”
5. Who is authorized to implement the law?
Aside from the Land Transportation Office, other authorized agencies are the Highway Patrol Group of PNG, MMDA, and local government units.
To know more about the ADDA, check the DOTr Facebook page here. It pays to be informed.