Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10913)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10913 is the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.
The policy of the State is to safeguard its citizenry from the ruinous and injurious effects of vehicular accidents and to regulate the use of electronic mobile devices on road safety.
Distracted driving refers to a motorist performing acts such as using a mobile communications device to write, send, or read text-based communication, make or receive calls, or using an electronic entertainment or computing device to play games, watch movies, surf the internet, compose messages, read e-books, or perform calculations while the vehicle is in motion or temporarily stopped at a red light.
Mobile communications devices are electronic communications equipment such as cellular phones, wireless telephones, two-way radio transceivers, pagers, and other similar devices capable of transmitting, receiving, or both, encrypted data and/or signals through wireless electronic or other similar means.
Yes. Motorists using mobile phones for emergency purposes or while operating emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks in the course of their duties are exempted.
The penalty for the first offense is a fine of five thousand pesos (₱5,000), and for the second offense, a fine of ten thousand pesos (₱10,000).
For the third offense, the penalty is a fine of fifteen thousand pesos (₱15,000) and suspension of the driver's license for three (3) months.
They are subject to a penalty of thirty thousand pesos (₱30,000) and suspension of the driver's license for three (3) months.
The owner and/or operator of the vehicle is held directly and principally liable together with the offender, unless they can prove they exercised extraordinary diligence in selecting and supervising their drivers.
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other concerned government agencies and instrumentalities are responsible for enforcement and assisting the Department of Transportation and Communications-Land Transportation Office (DOTC-LTO).
The DOTC-LTO is required to promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the Act.
It took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
The Act does not apply to motor vehicles which are not in motion, except those stopped momentarily at a red light or pulled over to the side of the road in compliance with a traffic regulation.
A motor vehicle is defined as engine-driven vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, vans, buses, jeeps, motorcycles, and tricycles.
Yes, wheeled agricultural machineries and construction equipment are covered when operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways, or streets where public safety is a concern.