There oughta be a Law

The new law penalizing acts of “distraction” by drivers of wheeled vehicles will reduce road accidents.

Incidentally it will help as a source of financial amelioration to traffic enforcers. The first time offender is fined P5000. Rather than settle the amount the violator will gladly pay P500. The arrangement does make the enforcer a kotong cop. The erring driver was not coerced into the agreement which in jurisprudence is a “meeting of the minds.”

Certainly complaints of police harassment will be expected. I do not know what agency will handle resolutions. The complainant will find withdrawing from the case more practical.

****** The youthful drivers, mostly from the generation of the young and the restless, are expected to comprise the antidistracting law offenders. Texting and chatting is their second nature. Reckless bus drivers who race for passengers hardly find time to use cellphones

This new law will spawn legal disputes. As its general intent is the prevention of distracting acts and objects to drivers, there should be an amendment that includes billboards ads featuring half clad girls as models for sexy underwear.

A SWS survey of jeepney drivers on distractions will confirm that pretty legs of a woman passenger seated near the driver can cloud the mind of our sweet lover, basta.. Is the law applicable to this type of distraction? Even Pres. Digong confessed he was distracted by Ma’am Leny’s legs which led to a dinner invitation to the Palace. VP Leny accepted a rain check for the date.

***** Our lawmakers are generous to our enforcement agencies, indeed. The anti-DUI (driving under the influence of liquor) gave our cops an extra night income. They lurked near bars or club s where, after a nightcap, they pounced on departing semi-drunk patrons and subjected the prey to the breathalyzer test. Rather than go to the precinct and pay the fine the culprit settles with a great discount minus VAT. ”I love this job!” the enforcer said proudly.

***** Incidentally, a caregiver of an old lady who takes her patient around for a morning wheel chair walk in the park was afraid she would the violate law if she answers her phone while pushing a wheel chair. Of course she does, the device is a transport vehicle using wheels.

Threatened too by the anti-distraction law are the drivers of a carabao-driven cart, the cochero, the padjak bike. Anak nang kalabaw!