Parts of Anti-Distracted Driving law need clarification, says ex-LTO official

A former Land Transportation Office (LTO) official pointed out that some provisions of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) still have to be clarified with authors of the law to ensure its proper implementation.

In an interview with GMA News' Raffy Tima on "Balitanghali," Alberto Suansing said Section 5(c), which is a provision on prohibiting drivers from using gadgets while "momentarily stopped at a traffic light" should be explained.

"Yung momentarily, saglit lang. Siguro naman kung tatlong minuto, o 20 minuto ka nakanganga sa traffic, ay hindi na ipagbabawal yun," said Suansing, who is also the secretary general of the non-government organization Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership.

He said most of the roads in the country are narrow, so it is impossible for drivers to pull over so they can use their gadgets.

"Kung halimbawa, nasa EDSA kayo, e hahanap kayo ng emergency bay para hindi kayo nakakasagabal sa traffic at sagutin yung tawag," he added.

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act or RA 10913, posted on the LTO website, 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 the law, is a person who is driving a motor vehicle.

Suansing urged motorists to approach the transportation committees of the Senate and Congress and petition for the groups to clear up this section of the law.

"Ang intention dun is ma-summon yung minutes nung meeting nung bicameral committee para makita natin yung intent kung bakit nilagay yung operative word na momentarily," Suansing explained.

Drivers may only use their phones to consult the route set before departing on navigational apps such as Google Maps or Waze under the revised IRR.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: JULY 06, 2017 (Thursday) is the start of the implementation of the ANTI-DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT (RA 10913). #SupportADA pic.twitter.com/JBtzMregvA

— DOTr (@DOTr_PH) July 5, 2017

Only emergency calls to authorities "in cases of crimes, accidents, bomb/terror attacks, fire/explosions, and cases requiring immediate medical attention" may be made.

Law enforcers began implementing the law on Thursday and have already apprehended violators of the revised ADDA along busy fareways such as Quezon Avenue, as seen in a tweet by GMA News reporter Cedric Castillo.

LTO apprehends violator of Anti-Distracted Driving Act along Quezon Avenue. | via @cedric_castillo pic.twitter.com/fwyW20IARK

— GMA News (@gmanews) July 6, 2017

Suansing also noted that the ADDA only includes the use of and holding cellphones, other communications equipment, and gadgets while driving. The law does not mention dashboard accessories such as stuffed toys. — BAP, GMA News