First, there was the No texting While driving ordinance because of the Anti-distracted Driving Act, legalized in 2016. Soon, you won’t be able to text while passing sidewalks and pedestrian lanes, here’s why. A new ordinance is on its way. The City Council of Baguio approved on its third and final reading the Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance, which will soon be applicable. The ordinance was authored by Councilors Faustino A. Olowan, Peter C. Fianza, and Levy B. Orcales.
Baguio City’s Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance
In today’s era of modern technology, a lot of people are attached to their mobile devices and detached from society. Everyone’s distracted doing their own little thing, not knowing the harm and danger mobile devices can cause. Pedestrians who cross the street don’t pay attention to the signs. Next thing you know, they wind up in the hospital or worse, dead. This is where the Anti-Distracted Walking Ordinance steps in.
According to SOFAD Eriko R. Conscolluela as reported by Top Gear, a proponent of the ordinance, using mobile devices and other destructive devices while crossing the street make pedestrians lose focus and awareness of their surroundings. Thus, more likely leading them to accidents. In addition, the use of mobile devices slows down a person’s walking pace, therefore, causing other pedestrians to also adjust.
Baguio City has cited that the number of people injured as a result of reckless behaviors is alarmingly increasing by the day, also making it a major pedestrian concern. Section 14 of the ordinance also states that, besides electronic devices, the adopted ordinance also prohibits the reading of any reading material while crossing a pedestrian lane and walking on sidewalks.
Violators Fines
Violators of this law will face a hefty punishment declared by the government. Law offenders will not be punished on the first offense, however, for the succeeding offenses, they will face fines and possible jail time. The second offense is P1000, third offense P2000, and P2500 with community service or imprisonment of 11-30 days for the fourth and succeeding offenses. The ordinance will also prohibit skimming any reading material while on the road, Public Order and Safety and Division of the Mayor’s Office, Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Traffic Management, Barangay Tanods, and Enforcers are the authorities in charge of monitoring and apprehending violators.
The final draft of the Anti-Distracted Walking ordinance will be submitted to the Mayor’s Office for approval before it takes effect.