LGU heads back ADDA deferment
Both Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña agree with the deferment in the implementation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA), a new law that they think was not fully disseminated to the public.
“Nakalitan ang mga taw. Dapat lang jud i-suspenso. Laws take effect 30 days (after) its publication or general circulation. Hatagan og time nga ma-disseminate og maesplikar ang bisan unsa pang butanga nga na-cover sa law,” Davide added.
He added there is a need for specific restrictions concerning the distraction of the driver's line of sight such as rosaries, stuffed toys and other “distracting” ornaments.
“Ganahan man kay ta mag-decorate sa sakyanan. For that, hatagan og time na ma-revise ang maong act,” Davide said.
Osmeña, for his part, said it is important that the drivers will be informed of the prohibitions of the law so that they would be aware.
“It's up to them, but I'm in favor. You know, you should remind drivers that you're driving a car and a moving car is a deadly weapon. And if, in one instance, you don't know that there's someone in front of you because you're distracted, it can be fatal,” he added.
Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 Alita Pulga said that even with the deferment of the said law, drivers who figure in an accident because of using a gadget while driving can still be charged with reckless driving.
But still the agency appeals to the motorists to obey the provisions of the law.
Julieto Flores, spokesperson of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators, said it is but proper to review the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the said law, which also banned rosaries in front of the windshield.
Flores, who is also the president of Cebu Provincial Bus and Mini-Bus Operators, said that common causes of road accidents are due to human error, mechanicals defect, bad roads and weather conditions – not the rosaries hanging by the rear view mirror.
"Ang driver di man gud na magsigi og tan-aw anang rosaryuhan samtang mag-drive. Nalipay ko nga i-review sa LTO ang IRR kay OA (overacting) ra pud gyud nga hastang rosaryuhan ilang initan," said Flores.
Greg Perez, coordinator of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator NationwideCebu, wants the law thrown to the bin altogether.
"Tungod daghan ang wala makasabot, nahasol ug daghan ang mabiktima sa taas nga multa niini. Kulang ang pagkonsulta sa mga natungdan nga sector," Perez said.
Romeo Armamento, vice president of the National Confederation of Transportworkers UnionCentral Visayas, which has more than 2,000 memberdrivers, is thankful that the implementation of the said law was suspended.
In a media forum yesterday, Pulga also asked for recommendations and suggestions regarding the new law, especially now that it will be subjected for review.
She said the public can send in their thoughts and suggestions through email or by dropping by their office along N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City.
Pulga said that as soon as the amended IRR will be released, the regional offices will hold a massive information drive about the law making people more aware about it.
The new law focuses only on the prohibition of the usage of communication devices and other electronic entertainment gadgets while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or intersection.
Using cellular phones for text, answering or making calls, playing games, reading e-books and surfing the net while driving are prohibited.
A fine of P5,000 will be assessed for the first offense; P10,000 for the second offense; P15,000 for the third offense with a three months suspension of driver's license.
Subsequent violation merits the revocation of the driver's license and a fine of P20,000.