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Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act

11 Things you need to know:

1. What is RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act?

RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act is a new law that prohibits motorists from using
communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing

gadgets while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. A
motorist, as defined under this law, is a person who is driving motor vehicle.

2. What vehicles are covered by this Act?

This act covers both public and private vehicles. It also covers 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.

3. What does this law prohibit?

Prohibited acts made while driving include but not limited to: making or receiving calls, writing,
sending or reading text-based communications, playing games, watching

movies, performing calculations, reading e-books, composing messages and surfing or browsing the
internet.

4. What are the actions exempted from this law?

Motorists are allowed to use their devices to make or take emergency calls to authorities in case of a
crime, accidents, bomb or terrorist threat, fire or explosion, instances

needing immediate medical attention, or when personal safety and security is compromised.

5. Can we use hands-free devices like microphones and earphones?

Yes. Motorists can use the aid of hands-free function and applications as long as these do not
interfere with the driver's line of sight. This means that no communication or
 electronic gadget should be affixed on the car's dashboard and steering wheel. In addition, drivers are
only allowed to wear earphones when making or receiving calls. Using

earphones to listen to music falls under "similar acts" in Section 4B of the law, in addition to reckless
driving violation penalized under other relevant laws.

6. Can we still use traffic and navigational apps like Waze and Google Maps while driving?

Yes. Although motorists are being advised to set their preffered destination on these applications
prior to their departure. Gadgets with these applications may be installed in

areas that will not obstruct the driver's view. In cases when motorists need to find alternate routes
while in traffic, they are advised to first pull their vehicles aside.

7. Who are authorized to apprehend violating motorists?

The DOTr - Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the lead implementing agency of the Act. The LTO also
has the authority to deputize members of the PNP, MMDA and LGUs

to carry out enforcement functions and duties.

8. How will we know if drivers of private vehicles with heavily-tinted windshields are violating the law?

Aside from high-definition cameras that can monitor lights from devices inside heavily-tinted vehicles,
the law will also be strictly enforced by enforcers on the ground who

were well-trained to determine from the movement of the vehicle whether or not a driver commits
distracted driving. A Memorandum Circular setting specifications on the

regulation of tints shall be released by LTO soon, upon consultation with tint manufacturers.

9. What are the penalties?

Violators will be penalized with a fine of five thousand pesos (Php 5,000) for the first offense, ten
thousand pesos (Php 10,000) for the second offense, and fifteen thousand

pesos (Php 15,000) for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver's license. Violations
incurred beyond the third offense shall be penalized with the revocation

of driver's license and a fine of twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000).

10. Are operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) also liable for violations made by drivers?
 Yes. Operators and owners of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) and other commercial vehicles shall both
be held liable for the violations committed by their drivers.

11. When will this be implemented?

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act shall be implemented nationwide starting May 18, 2017.

2 14

Under the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, motorists are only allowed to use mobile phones by using its
hands free function. File photo

MANILA, Philippines The Land Transportation Office starts enforcing Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-
Distracted Driving Act today to promote road safety as its implementing rules and regulations was
published.

Here are things you need to know about the law.

What are prohibited under this act?

Drivers are prohibited from using communication devices and other electronic, entertainment and
computing gadgets while driving or even while waiting for the traffic light to go green or while on a
temporary stop at an intersection.

Actions prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

using their mobile phone to write, send or receive a text message;

making or take a call;

playing games;

surfing the internet; or

reading e-books

Are there any exemptions?

Drivers may still use their devices to make or take emergency calls from authorities in case of a crime,
accident, bomb or terrorist threat, fire or explosion, instances needing immediate medical attention or
when personal safety and security is compromised.
How about hands-free devices like earphones and microphones?

Drivers can use the hands-free function and applications of their devices as long as these do not
interfere with the drivers line of sight, which means no communication or electronic gadget should be
affixed on the cars dashboard and steering wheel. Drivers are only allowed to wear earphones when
making or receiving calls.

Traffic and navigational apps like Waze and Google Maps can still be used but drivers must set their
preferred destinations prior to their departure. Gadgets with these applications may be installed in
areas that will not obstruct the drivers view. In case there's a need to find alternate routes while in
traffic, drivers are advised to first pull over to the side

hilippines)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anti-Distracted Driving Act

Coat of arms of the Philippines.svg

Congress of the Philippines

An Act Defining and Penalizing Distracted Driving

Citation Republic Act No. 10913

Territorial extent Philippines

Enacted by Senate of the Philippines

Date enacted February 3, 2016

Enacted by House of Representatives of the Philippines

Date enacted June 6, 2016

Date signed July 21, 2016

Signed by lapsed into law

Date commenced May 18, 2017

Legislative history

Bill introduced in the Senate of the Philippines An Act Defining and Penalizing Distracted Driving

Bill citation Senate Bill 3211

Bill published on February 3, 2016

Introduced by Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and Sergio Osmea III

Bill introduced in the House of Representatives of the Philippines An Act Defining and Penalizing
Distracted Driving

Bill citation House Bill 4531

Bill published on June 6, 2016

Introduced by Romeo Acop (Antipolo), et. al.

Status: In force

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act, officially recorded as Republic Act 10913, is a law in the Philippines that
prohibits distracted driving by restricting and penalizing the use of mobile phones and other electronics
devices while driving on any public thoroughfare, highway or street in the Philippines.[1] The republic
act defines "distracted driving" as "using mobile communications device to write, send, or read a text-
based communication or to make or receive calls" or "using an electronic entertainment or computing
device to play games, watch movies, surf the internet, compose messages, read e-books, perform
calculations, and other similar acts" while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle or while temporarily
stopped at a red light.[2] The law covers all private and public vehicles, including agricultural machines,
construction equipments, public utility buses and jeepneys, taxicabs, motorcycles, tricycles, pedicabs,
kuligligs and carriages.[1]

Contents [hide]

1 Enactment

2 Enforcement

2.1 Fines

3 Exemptions

4 Reaction

5 References

Enactment[edit]

On February 3, 2016, Senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and Sergio Osmea III filed Senate Bill No.
3211 at the Philippine Senate Committee on Public Services which aims to "safeguard its citizenry from
the ruinous and extremely injurious effects of vehicular accidents" caused by the "unrestrained use of
electronic mobile devices."[3] Similar legislation was also introduced in the Philippine House of
Representatives as House Bill No. 4531 on June 6, 2016 by Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap, Northern Samar Rep.
Harlin Abayon, Buhay Party-List Reps. Irwin Tieng and Lito Atienza, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, DIWA Party-List Rep. Emmeline Aglipay, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando
Andaya Jr., Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, and Quezon Rep.
Angelina Tan.[4]
The road safety measure was submitted by the 16th Congress of the Philippines to President Benigno
Aquino III on July 27, 2015 and lapsed into law without the President's signature or veto on July 21,
2016.[2][5] Under Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, "the President shall communicate
his veto of any bill to the House where it originated within 30 days after the date of receipt thereof;
otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it."[5] It also states that a law will take effect 15 days
after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.[5]

Enforcement[edit]

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act took effect on May 18, 2017 under the new administration of President
Rodrigo Duterte.[1][6] Under the law, drivers are only allowed to use hands-free functions of gadgets,
such as speaker phones, provided that these do not block their line of sight.[1] The implementing agency
is the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under the Department of Transportation that was tasked to
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within 60 days from the effectivity of the
Act. It also ordered the LTO, the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Education, the
Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to undertake
a nationwide information, education and communication campaign for a period of 6 months from the
effectivity of the Act. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the PNP and other law
enforcement agencies are required to enforce the act.[2]

Fines[edit]

A motorist caught in violation of the Act shall be fined 5,000 for the first offense, 10,000 for the
second offense, and 15,000 for the third offense plus suspension of his or her driving license for 3
months. On the fourth offense, the erring driver shall be fined 20,000 plus a revocation of the driving
license.[1]

Erring drivers of public utility vehicles, school buses, school service vehicles, and common carriers
hauling volatile, flammable or toxic material shall be fined 30,000 and suspension of their driving
license for 3 months. The same penalty applies to motorists caught in violation of the Act within a 50-
meter (160 ft) radius of school premises.[2]

The LTO, as implementing agency, may increase the amount of fines once every five years, in the
amount not exceeding 10 percent of the existing rates, which shall take effect only upon publication in
at least two newspapers of general circulation.[2]

Exemptions[edit]

The Act does not apply to:

Motorists using mobile phones for emergency purposes, including emergency calls to a law enforcement
agency, health care provider, fire department or other emergency services;[2]

Motorists operating emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles,
in the course and scope of their duties.[2]

Reaction[edit]

The app-based ride sharing service providers Grab and Uber welcomed the implementation of the Anti-
Distracted Driving Act and said it would contribute to road safety, benefitting both drivers and
commuters. They reminded all their partner-drivers to strictly comply with the new law as they have
distributed materials for their drivers to make sure they know what they can and cannot do while
transporting their passengers.[7]

References[edit]

^ Jump up to: a b c d e Terrazola, V.E.P.; Alavaren, A.L.V. (18 May 2017). "Use of mobile phones, gadgets
while driving is prohibited starting today". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 19 May 2017.

^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "Republic Act No. 10913" (PDF). Official Gazette (Philippines). Retrieved 19
May 2017.

Jump up ^ "Senate Bill No. 3211" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 19 May 2017.

Jump up ^ "House Bill No. 4531" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 19 May 2017.

^ Jump up to: a b c Santos, E.P. (4 August 2016). "No texting while driving, new law states". CNN
Philippines.

Jump up ^ Javier, K. (18 May 2017). "Anti-Distracted Driving Law: What you need to know". The
Philippine Star. Retrieved 19 May 2017.

Jump up ^ Cordero, J.T. (17 May 2017). "Grab, Uber back Anti-Distracted Driving Act". GMA News.
Retrieved 19 May 2017.