The implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) will be put on hold, transportation officials said Tuesday.
“We will abide with the authors of the law, and will hold the enforcement of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, and focus more on information dissemination,” LTFRB spokesperson Atty. Aileen Lizada said in a text message sent to the media.
Prior to this, the policy that disallowed the display of gadgets, accessories, and even rosaries, on windshields and dashboards of vehicles received backlash from the public.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday said it will revisit the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act after lawmakers called for the suspension of the measure’s implementation.
“The DOTr shall immediately revive its Technical Working Group to conduct a review of the IRR in coordination with concerned stakeholders,” the department said in a statement.
“An Information and Education Campaign (IEC) shall commence as soon as the new IRR is crafted,” the statement read.
The House Committee on Transportation earlier moved to suspend the implementation of the law that disallowed eating and drinking while driving amid public confusion and lack of information dissemination.
The policy also received negative feedback from the public as most drivers found the rules “stretched” and “overbearing.”
Other stakeholders, including transport groups and church leaders, alleged that the law violated the rights of vehicle owners to practice their faith as it prohibited the display of gadgets, accessories, and even rosaries, on windshields and dashboards of vehicles.
The transportation department also invited the public to participate in a “constructive discussion” to “better promote road safety, discipline, and responsible driving” in the Philippines.
Republished from ABS-CBNNews
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