Anti-Distracted Driving Law starts May 18; Read if dashcams are allowed

From abs-cbn.com:

By Doris Bigornia

Gadgets, such as mobile phones, positioned at a vehicle’s windshield that directly distract the line of sight of the driver will be banned starting May 18.

The Anti-Distracted Driving Law takes effect on Thursday, and violators will face penalties of up to P20,000 and revocation of their licenses.

 

Even hands-free devices, as long they obstruct the line of sight of the driver, would be in violation of the law.

Using cellphones for texting or making calls or sending messages while driving will also be banned.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will apprehend and issue violation tickets to drivers caught texting or calling even if the red light is on.

The law covers all public utility vehicles, private cars, government vehicles, bikes, motorcycles, skateboards, kuliglig, haba-habal, motorized wheelchairs and even horse-drawn carriages like those used by tourists in Intramuros.

Exempted are drivers reporting accidents/fires and other emergency situations.

The implementing rules and regulations on the regulation of vehicle window tint is now being drafted to help the MMDA apprehend violators of the Anti-Distracted Driving Law.

Meantime, Republic Act 10666 or an Act providing for the Safety of Children Aboard Motorcycles will take effect on May 19.

Fines are from P3,000 to P10,000 and revocation of license, and 1-year imprisonment should the violation result in death or serious injuries/ damage to property.

Fines will be paid to Metrobank or Bayad Centers. Enforcers will not receive and should not demand that payment be made to them.

The MMDA has summoned barangay officials and tanods to discuss their training to help the MMDA in its operations.

The MMDA is eyeing barangay tanods as force multipliers so that illegal parking and other obstructions to traffic would be put in check.

Editor’s Note: As clarified by the MMDA, only those directly on the line of sight of the driver will not be allowed so if your dashcams are behind your rear view mirror (we’re sure your rear view mirrors are in the middle of your car) and not impeding your vision then that is fine.