MMDA warns public against drunk-driving this holiday season

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday urged the public not to drink-and-drive, especially this holiday season when calendars are mostly marked off for celebrations.

According to a report on GMA News TV program "Balitanghali Weekend", the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership found that 15 people died every day because of drunk-driving.

The MMDA's data meanwhile showed that at least 10 accidents per month was due to driving under the influence of alcohol.

Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 imposed a fine of P20,000 to P500,000, imprisonment of at least three months, and suspension of driver's license for those convicted of DUIs.

Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership Secretary General Alberto Suansing, however, said that the legislation needed to reviewed by the lawmakers.

Suansing argued that numerous violators were able to avoid penalties because, even if they are drunk but somehow pass the field sobriety test, cases aren't filed against them.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) previously said that motorists with the physical manifestations of alcohol influence would be subjected to a series of on-the-spot examinations which included an eye test, a walk-and-turn test, and one-leg stand test.

If the driver fails any one of the three tests, he or she would be asked to use the alcohol breath analyzer.

Blood alcohol levels of private vehicle drivers should not exceed 0.05.

For motorcycle riders, truck drivers, and public utility vehicle drivers, however, the blood alcohol level must be zero.

Suansing noted that the breath analyzer equipment and traffic enforcer ratio should be one is to one.

MMDA said it only has 25 breath analyzers but the LTO and local government units have their own equipment which augment that number.

To prevent road accidents this holiday season, MMDA urged motorists to carpool or take a taxi if they are under the influence of alcohol. — Dona Magsino/DVM/KG, GMA News