Legal basis and governing policy
- LOI No. 229 provides the pertinent legal basis for implementing the EWD requirement.
- The Circular is issued to promote road safety and protect road users from the “ruinous impact of road crashes.”
- The Circular establishes revised rules that consolidate and govern the EWD requirement implementation.
Mandatory EWD accessory requirement
- The Circular requires the EWD as a mandatory accessory for all motor vehicles, except motorcycles and tricycles.
- For vehicles covered by the rule, a pair of EWD must be carried at all times.
- Drivers and/or operators must present the pair of EWD upon demand by LTO deputized law enforcers when apprehended for another offense.
- Motorcycles and tricycles are excluded from the requirement that a pair of EWD be carried at all times and presented upon demand.
When EWD must be presented
- The Circular provides that presentation of the EWD is not a requirement during registration of a motor vehicle.
- The Circular prohibits any LTO official and/or employee from selling EWDs.
Where and when to install EWD
- The EWD must be installed at least 4 meters to the front and at the rear of the motor vehicle.
- Installation is required whenever the motor vehicle is stationary for any reason.
- Installation is also required when the vehicle is compelled to stop on an area where standing or parking is prohibited.
EWD specifications and performance standard
- The Circular requires every EWD to conform to specified form, materials, visibility, and placement orientation.
- Each of the pair is triangular and collapsible, made of reflectorized plates.
- The reflectorized plate sides must be at least 40 cms. long and 5 cms. wide.
- The triangles must be visible even in adverse weather conditions at a distance of at least 400 meters at high beam.
- Each triangle must lean slightly backwards, 5 to 10 degrees from the axis, and must be perpendicular to the roadway to maximize visibility from the reflectorized sides.
Penalties and administrative consequences
- Operating a motor vehicle without carrying a pair of EWD results in a fine of PHP 500.
- If the driver’s charge sheet includes non-carrying of EWD, then aside from paying the PHP 500 fine, the driver’s license remains confiscated until a pair of EWD is presented during the adjudication of the case.
- If a motor vehicle is impounded and the violations include failure to carry a pair of EWD, the release of the vehicle is held in abeyance until a pair of EWD is presented to the adjudicating officer.
Supersession and repealing clause
- All provisions in memoranda, circulars, and other issuances that conflict with the Circular are superseded.
- The superseding effect covers any earlier rules inconsistent with these revised EWD implementation requirements.