Revised Anti-Distracted Driving Act to be Enforced Starting Tomorrow

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is all set to enforce tomorrow, July 6, the new Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 10913, also known as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA).

Under the new IRR, motorists can now place electronic devices on their dashboard, as long as it doesn’t go above the four-inch ‘safe zone.’

However, motorcyclists are completely banned from using their cellphone altogether as long as they are operating their motorcycle.

New ADDA guidelines

All motorists are prohibited from using their electronic devices to watch a movie, browse the internet, play a game, make a call, send a text message, use an app, and even use the calculator. All these actions are not allowed even when the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light. Calls and texts to the authorities in case of emergency are allowed. The use of earphones is also permitted, because it frees the motorists from holding their device.

Meanwhile, the law makes leeway the placement of rosaries, crucifixes, figurines, and stickers on the dashboard as long as these do not interfere with the driver’s line of sight.

Anyone caught in violation of the law will be penalized to pay P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 on the third offense along with a three-month suspension of driver’s license.

A fourth offense will receive a P20,000 penalty fee and the irrevocable cancellation of the driver’s license.

Suspension of the original ADDA

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) suspended an earlier version of the ADDA after the agency received a barrage of protests from various sectors regarding its IRR. The suspension came less than a week after the initial ADDA’s implementation.

Lawmakers caved into public outcry and called for the suspension of the original ADDA on May 23 because of the law’s ‘confusing guidelines.’

A total of 246 motorists were caught in violation of the ADDA before its suspension.