Two important laws

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recorded a number of violators of Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act during its first day of implementation.

For the record, there were apprehensions made against drivers who are either making or receiving calls, sending or reading text messages, playing games, watching movies and surfing the internet while driving.

The implementation of the law, which started recently, seems to be serious that many were apprehended. The mode of apprehension is quite different this time as the MMDA is now on a no-contact apprehension system.

Its quite hard to think that the apprehended drivers do not know the existence of such law. In fact, it is a widely publicized legislation since it was enacted into a law and now it is on its enforcement stage.

Those that were apprehended are perhaps just too stubborn to violate such law since even without it, it is but logical and proper to abstain from being distracted while driving. In addition, there are a number of accidents that happened caused by distracted drivers that are shown on television, on the internet and read on printed new s.

Since it is still on its pilot stage of implementation, we expect more motorists to be caught “distracted” while driving in Metro Manila and even in provinces. However, we may hope that the strict implementation of the said law would not be made a mere “ningas cogon”.

For the information of my fellow drivers, the law has the following penalties: the first offense carries a penalty of P5,000 while the second violation will be fined P10,000. The third offense will be slapped with a P15,000 fine plus three months suspension of driver’s license.

*** Another law that will now be implemented is the nationwide ban on smoking in public places whether indoor or outdoor, this after President Rodrigo Duterte signed an Executive Order implementing a nationwide smoking ban.

As he promised, President Duterte is now on his fight against smokers who do their vice in public, to the detriment of the health of others who inhale second hand smoke. Smokers per se are even damaging their own health because of such vice.

Executive Order No. 26, which was signed last May 16 also covers public conveyances such as elevators, airplanes, ships, jeepneys, buses, taxicabs, trains, light rail transits, tricycles and other similar vehicles.

*** For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 0921-3636360 or send email at dencious@gmail.com