Welcome changes to a confusing law!
One of our favorite local motoring journalists, James Deakin, has just posted this photo on his Facebook Page. The photo reveals where you can place your gadgets on your windshield and around your dashboard when Republic Act 10913, or better known as the Anti-Distracted Driving Law, comes back into effect after it was temporarily suspended after a bit of confusion for motorists and law enforcement personnel.
In case, you’re having trouble viewing the photo above, the updated safe zone includes four inches of your windshield, measured from the bottom. This is where you can place your mobile phone to run navigation apps, such as: Waze and Google Maps. You will be penalized for using your phone for:
- Making or receive calls; unless you’re using a hands-free kit or have an emergency
- Composing, sending, or reading text messages
- Playing games
- Making calculations
- Watching videos
- Browsing the Internet
Basically, you should keep your hands on the steering wheel and away from your mobile device unless you’re parked. Yup, not even while we’re stuck in traffic.
Dashcams will be allowed, but must be behind your rear view mirror. A few of James Deakin’s followers have asked him about situations where their dashcams cannot fully be hidden behind the rear view mirror due to its size or rain sensors on their vehicles, so there’s still a bit of grey area that has to be considered here.
Penalties for violating Republic Act 10913, or the Anti-Distracted Driving Law are as follows:
- Php 5,000 fine for First Time Offenders
- Php 10,000 fine for the Second Offense
- Php 15,000 and a 3-month license suspension for the 3rd Offense
- Php 20,000 and the revocation of one’s driver’s license beyond that
As per James’ post, the revisions to the Anti-Distracted Driving Law will be in effect by June 28.