It has always been dangerous, soon it will be against the law, too.
The use of mobile phones and similar gadgets while driving will be banned in the Philippines starting May 18, 2017, ABS-CBN News reports.
This follows the publication of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, which became a law last year.
According to the new law, a person behind the wheel cannot use any “mobile communication device” for texting, calling, reading e-books, surfing the net, watching movies, or playing games. Yeah, Candy Crush can wait.
The Land Transportation Office “will regulate the use of these highly technical devices while driving, even if motorists are using them for navigation purposes or searching for alternate routes,” notes the Philippine Star.
This means that drivers will have to use Waze and other similar apps with caution.
“If they are using Waze, the device should not be positioned in a way that would distract the driver,” said LTO Law Enforcement Service director Francis Ray Almora said in the report.
The law exempts drivers who are making emergency calls to “a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department and other similar agencies and emergency services.”
Motorists who will be caught violating the law will face the following fines:
– PHP5,000 for the first offense
– PHP10,000 for the second offense
– PHP15,000 and suspension of driver’s license for three months for the third offense
– PHP20,000 fine and revocation of driver’s license for the fourth offense.
Meanwhile, here’s a reminder for pedestrians to also be careful with using cellphones when crossing the street
