Salceda files bill seeking to put cap on traffic violation penalties

Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda has filed House Bill No. 3423 seeking to protect motorists, especially for those who drive vehicles for a living, by putting a cap on penalties for traffic violations.

Under HB 3423, Salceda proposes that the fine for the first offense shall not exceed the daily minimum wage in the area. For the second or third offense, he said, the penalty should not be more than twice the minimum wage.

He also said the local government must also set up a traffic adjudication body to ensure motorists can appeal violations—something that is not provided by the no-contact apprehension policy enforced in some LGUs.

“The point of traffic laws is orderly transport, not punishment. The penalties, especially for local minor traffic violations, can go as high as P3,500 for first offense. That is confiscatory, and it sets up room for negotiating with the traffic authorities. The child of confiscatory penalties is kotong,” Salceda said in a statement.

The lawmaker also said that for individuals driving as a source of income or livelihood, alternative punishments such as community service may be imposed.

Favor or not in favor

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras Weekend”, delivery rider Reynante Martinez lamented that the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) has become an additional burden for him.

“Ang basic violation ko lang yung DTS o disregarding traffic sign. [Kung] nahuli man ako, hindi ko alam na nahuli na ako kasi late yan nag-a-appear. Instead kasi na iuwi mo na lang para pambili sa pagkain ng pamilya ko, matutubos ko pa. Eh magkano ang multa nila diyan? Lowest ay P2,000 or P3,000 yata?” Martinez said.

(For me my basic violations are disregarding traffic signs. [Due to the no-contact apprehension policy], I wouldn't know that I have been marked for a violation until the notice appears, usually late. Instead of having money to take home to buy food for my family, I will have to pay for it. How much is their fine for that? I think the lowest is P2,000 or P3,000.)

EJ Fermejo, also a delivery driver, shared the same sentiment.

“Nanghihinayang kasi pandagdag na rin yun sana sa pagkain sa araw-araw. Kapag ang nanghuli sa iyo ay traffic enforcer, kadalasan kino-confiscate po kasi ang lisensya pero kapag no-contact apprehension, minsan magugulat ka na lang may huli ka na,” Fermejo said.

(I feel bad because the money could have been used for food for the day. When the person who arrests you is a traffic enforcer, the license is usually confiscated, but with no-contact apprehension sometimes you will be surprised that you have violated a traffic regulation.)

Asked about their reaction to HB 3423, several delivery drivers have different views on the matter.

“Mas maganda yun, siyempre lalo kung kagaya namin na hindi pare-pareho ang kita namin. Mas maganda na lang siguro kung aming magiging bayad kung wala kaming pambayad ay community service,” Fermejo said.

(Of course, that's better, especially for us whose incomes are not the same. Maybe it would be better if our payment is community service, if you don't have the money to pay.)

“Okay sa aking yung pwedeng mag-community service ka kung di mo kayang bayaran, lalo kung minimum wager ka,” another driver said.

(It's okay with me that you can do community service if you can't afford to pay, especially if you are a minimum wage earner.)

“First time lang sigurong mangyari din yan [community service]. Ako alis din ako diyan dahil instead na magtrabaho para sa pamilya ko, magtrabaho ako para sa gobyerno… mas pipiliin kong bayaran kung meron may akong violation, di bale na lang mabawasan ang kita ko,” Martinez said.

(It’s probably the first time to implement community service as a penalty. But I’m not in favor of that because instead of working for my family, I’ll be working for the government… I'd rather pay if I get a violation even if my income was reduced.) — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News