Avoid road accidents. Observe road safety measures. Be aware of these laws intended
to prevent road accidents.
Philippine Motorists Must be Aware of the following Laws
- Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, RA 8750
- Land Transportation and Traffic Code, RA No.4136
- Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2016, RA No.10913
- Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, RA No.10586
Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, RA 8750
The Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 is an act requiring the mandatory compliance by motorists of private and public vehicles to use seat belt devices, and requiring vehicle manufacturers to install seat belt devices in all their manufactured vehicles.
A driver will be liable for failure to wear the prescribed seat belt devices and/or failure to require his passengers to wear the prescribed seat belt device, a minimum fine of One hundred pesos (P100) but not to exceed One thousand pesos (P1,000) for the first violation; a minimum fine of Two hundred pesos (P200) but not to exceed Two thousand pesos (P2,000) for the second violation; and a minimum fine of Five hundred pesos (P500) but not to exceed Five thousand pesos (P5,000) and suspension of driver’s license for a period of one (1) week for the third and succeeding violations
One of the salient provisions of this law is that Infants and/or children with ages six (6) years and below shall be prohibited to sit in the front seat of any running motor vehicle.
Land Transportation and Traffic Code, RA No.4136
Under RA No. 4136, Philippine motorists must be aware of the maximum allowable speeds in Philippine streets, roads, and highways.
Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2016, RA No.10913
Under the Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2016, be aware that it is unlawful for a drive to use a mobile communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication or to make or receive calls, and other similar acts; and to an electronic entertainment or computing device to play games, watch movies, surf the internet, compose messages, read e-books, perform calculations, and other similar acts in a motor vehicle in motion or temporarily stopped at a red light, whether diplomatic, public or private vehicle.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act shall be penalized with:(a) A fine of five thousand pesos (₱5,000.00) for the first offense;
(b) A fine of ten thousand pesos (₱10,000.00) for the second offense;
(c) A fine of fifteen thousand pesos (₱15,000.00) and suspension of driver’s license for three (3) months for the third offense; and
(d) A fine of twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000.00) and revocation of driver’s license; Provided, That the implementing agency may increase the amount of fine herein imposed once every five (5) years in the amount not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the existing rates sought to be increased which shall take effect only upon publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation: Provided, Further, That a driver of a public utility vehicle, a school bus, a school service vehicle, a common carrier hauling volatile, flammable or toxic material, or a driver who commits an act classified herein as distracted driving within a fifty (50)-meter radius from the school premises shall be subject to a penalty of thirty thousand pesos (₱30,000.00) and suspension of one’s driver’s license for three (3) months.
Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, RA No.10586
The Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 or RA No.10586 is an act penalizing persons driving
a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and similar substances.
A driver found to have been driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances, as provided for under Section 5 of this Act, shall be penalized as follows:
(a) If the violation of Section 5 did not result in physical injuries or homicide, the penalty of three (3) months imprisonment, and a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000.00) to Eighty thousand pesos (₱80,000.00) shall be imposed;
(b) If the violation of Section 5 resulted in physical injuries, the penalty provided in Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code or the penalty provided in the next preceding subparagraph, whichever is higher, and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00) shall be imposed;
(c) If the violation of Section 5 resulted in homicide, the penalty provided in Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code and a fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (₱300,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00) shall be imposed; and
(d) The nonprofessional driver’s license of any person found to have violated Section 5 of this Act shall also be confiscated and suspended for a period of twelve (12) months for the first conviction and perpetually revoked for the second conviction. The professional driver’s license of any person found to have violated Section 5 of this Act shall also be confiscated and perpetually revoked for the first conviction. The perpetual revocation of a driver’s license shall disqualify the person from being granted any kind of driver’s license thereafter.(source)