93 Motorists Caught Violating Anti-Distracted Driving Act on First Day of Enforcement

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reportedly caught 93 motorists--64 motorcycle riders, 18 private vehicle drivers, five public utility bus drivers, five truck drivers, and one UV Express driver--violating the newly-implemented Anti-Distracted Driving Act on the first day of its implementation last May 18 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Using its CCTV cameras through its Metrobase command center, the MMDA caught the 93 violators through its "no contact" traffic apprehension policy. "The MMDA will initially enforce the Anti-Distracted Driving Act through the "no contact" apprehension policy, which utilizes CCTV cameras at the Metrobase," the agency said in a statement. "This would allow the DOTr (Department of Transportation) to explain the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) further, as well as avoid traffic congestion that may arise from ground apprehensions." This means that, through the "no contact" policy, the MMDA will get the necessary information of the vehicle owner through its license plate or conduction sticker from the Land Transportation Office–Information Query Facility. Once it obtains the contact details, the MMDA will then send a notice to the vehicle owner's address, informing him or her of the violation. If the vehicle owner wishes to contest the violation, he or she will be required  to file a protest before the MMDA-Traffic Adjudication Division within seven days from the receipt of the notice. Failure to do so within the prescribed period will be taken as a waiver of the right to contest the violation or present evidence as a defense.