Suction cup discrimination
Some people at the DOTr apparently hate Suction Cups. Once again Metro Manila and its Netizens are abuzz in ignorance and confusion over the latest law to come out of Congress. The new law called Anti Distracted Driving Law attempts to put a stop to drivers who use their mobile phones, tablets and monitors while driving. Unfortunately, the new law has added more distraction for drivers who are not clear on the provisions of the law because like many laws in the Philippines, only the lawmakers and their legal staff know what the law is all about and what the provisions and fine print say.
The lawmakers presume that a couple of interviews by Congressional and Senate reporters as well as the mandatory publication is sufficient compliance for the people to be properly informed. Yes, it has been talked about for the longest time but the problem is it is always “kwento” or second hand stories instead of being done in a proper manner repeatedly. This is one reason why many laws fail, are broken or ignored. Legislators don’t ask the opinion or inputs of the bigger crowd or affected groups and because they were not consulted, they are opposed to what they view as oppressive or imperfect laws. What makes it worse is when middle managers in the DOTr attempt to expound on the letter of the law and end up sowing fear.
Truth be told, a simple circular from the LTO and several arrests would have effectively sent the message: Don’t use your mobile phone while driving! Instead we have a law that has now stirred debates and criticism and confusion. What we need is more Law Enforcement – Less Laws. Twenty-four hours before the official implementation of RA 10913 or The Anti Distracted Driving law, social media was flooded by questions and challenges particularly about “suction cups” or those gadgets that use suction cups people use to hold mobile phones in front of the driver. Millions of drivers have bought those gadgets so their phones are within sight but now “experts” and officials at the DOTr who are sticklers for every letter of the law say that those gadgets cannot be placed on any part of the windshield because it would interfere with the driver’s line of sight. Ironically those LTO issued registration stickers are in our line of sight, those mandatory village stickers are within our line of sight, those stickers showing the seal of “The House of Representatives,” “The Senate of the Philippines” and “PNP” are all within line of sight and block portions of every windshield.
The law against Distracted Driving was supposed to prevent drivers from using, playing, manipulating or fondling their precious phones or tablets while driving. If they needed to, the point was to do it hands free. But now the discussion has shifted to removing the “suction cups” or accessories that hold those mobile phones in place. As a result those who disagree with the self appointed experts and interpreters of the law at the DOTr have challenged the DOTr and the law enforcers to first deal with “pre-existing” distracted drivers and their distractions such as jeepney drivers and their karatula or their signage indicating routes or destinations. Others are asking why target the suction cups when they can’t even stop jeepney drivers from gripping/squeezing various peso denominations between their fingers while driving. Do they even notice those self-retracting windshield tinted curtains that some UV Express drivers use?
In a few days, I’m certain that more rebellious comments will come up such as “What’s next? Will they also stop women from putting on their makeup while driving to work?!” The worst thing I am expecting to happen will be the EDSA 4 or 5 protest drive once people find out that they can no longer use their ABS-CBN TV plus to watch “Probinsyano” while stuck in the daily traffic that Art Tugade promised to fix with the emergency powers they cannot convince Congress and the Senate to pass as a law!
One of the historically proven ways that government officials ruin good intentions is by talking too much. In the case of this new law, the over-talking talking heads at the DOTr should have stuck with the “hands free” talking points and not ventured into the unknown territory of “suction cups” and line of sight. The Anti Distracted Driving Act is about not talking on the phone, looking for Pokemon characters (which is so-2016), taking selfies and other similar activities. They should simply leave it there. Talking about suction cups and line of sight has stirred up anxiety about unlawful arrests as well as deprivation of liberties or convenience that does not interfere or distract people. The real giveaway or evidence that RA 10913 was not thoroughly examined is shown by the fact that so much gray area has popped up and all the over-talkers can tell media is that they should just read the law and the exemptions. Suddenly the over-talkers don’t want to comment on gray areas such as “If I’m stuck in traffic,” or “at a stop sign” can I touch or use my phone since I am actually not driving?
In the end all of this unnecessary talk and interpretation of the law will simply lead to false arrests, hulidap or kotong on the streets. The question is how will the various law enforcement agencies check those heavily tinted vehicles that are clearly owned by the rich or the well-off? Bets are on that this law will create havoc, corruption and will eventually get ignored because the fact is we have more important concerns than line of sight and suction cups!