Solons seek review of Anti-Distracted Driving Law rules, deplore adding of restrictions like rosaries

Senators yesterday called for a review of the new Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) as they expressed concern that transportation authorities had included numerous other restrictions and limitations against drivers.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should suspend

enforcement of the ADDA until the provisions of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the law are clear and motorists’ confusions are ironed out.

“It looks like their officials (DOTr) did not understand the essence of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act. They have made matters complicated, when it is basically just about banning the use of cellphones while driving,” said Ejercito, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

Sen. Nancy Binay said she would file a resolution asking the Senate to investigate the IRR on the law.

“Parang nalusaw yung intent of the law, which was really to prohibit yung text and call while driving. Parang ngayon kung saan-saan na napunta yung IRR (I think the intent of the law, which was really to prohibit texting and calling while driving, was watered down. The IRR is confusing),” Binay said in an interview.

“Panawagan ko i-review muna siguro yung IRR. Ang nangyayari every day ata pabago-bago yung interpretations sa IRR, (I’m calling for a review of the IRR. Because it seems that their interpretation of the IRR is changing every day,” she said.

“Parang sumobra. Hindi naman ako naniniwala na pati ba naman yung rosary, saka air freshener dapat ipagbawal. Magpa-file ako ng resolution investigating what happened to its IRR, (I think they went overboard. I don’t believe it’s necessary to ban even rosaries and air fresheners. I will file a resolution investigating the IRR of this law),” Binay said.

Ejercito said mobile phones, when used for navigational purposes, should be permitted to aid motorists steering clear of heavy traffic.

“It is counter-intuitive when using Waze or other navigation apps, since the use of a cellphone is less dangerous if it is within the line of sight; every second that the driver’s eyes are on the road. Mas delikado pag yumuko! (It’s more dangerous to bend!)” he pointed out.

The DOTr should reconsider the strict provisions regarding the placement of cellphones within the line of sight of drivers, the senator said.

“We rarely hear of road accidents that result from the use of navigational apps. Definitely, texting and tinkering with a mobile phone while driving is a no-no. But when it is used as a navigational aid and it is properly placed, it is okay,” he said.