ANGELES CITY – Citing soaring number of cellphone-related vehicular accidents, Tarlac 2nd district Rep. Susan Yap has appealed to her colleagues to fully back her bill that makes using cellphones while driving a criminal act.
Unlike similar bills imposing lower penalties for offenders, Yap’s House Bill No. 318 imposes a fine ranging from P3,000 to P10,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year.
She cited a report of the Philippines Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) showing that cell phone-related accidents significantly increased from 70 cases in 2008 to 491 in 2009.
“The data translates to an increase of 601percent in road accidents involving motorists using cellular phones while driving,” she said.
She noted that “while cellular phones have become an integral part of our business and personal lives, the alarming figures on cell phone-related accidents has transformed this technological gadget into a dangerous device.”
Yap said her proposal would make criminals of drivers who use their cellphones, either by texting or voice calling, while they are driving. “Under the proposed measure, drivers will be pulled over by traffic enforcers if caught calling or texting while driving,” she added.
Yap stressed that “the danger is not only to the lives and limbs of the general driving public but also to the innocent pedestrians.”
“The early passage of the bill can save a lot of lives and properties and everyone shall benefit from the safety of our roads again,” Yap said.
Yap said that “although the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, it puts premium on the life and safety of the citizens by regulating the use of communication gadgets.”
Her proposal remains pending with the Committee on Transportation.
Similar bills were filed in the last Congress, but these were overtaken by the May elections last year. The past bills, however, imposed a fine of only P500 for a violator.
Studies have also shown that cellphone use while driving increases to four times the risk of accidents that also endangers pedestrians.
Records from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) metropolitan safety unit showed that there were 30,001 vehicular accidents in the metropolis during the first half of 2007 and “a number of these may be attributed to the use of mobile phones while driving.”
Unlike similar bills imposing lower penalties for offenders, Yap’s House Bill No. 318 imposes a fine ranging from P3,000 to P10,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year.
She cited a report of the Philippines Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) showing that cell phone-related accidents significantly increased from 70 cases in 2008 to 491 in 2009.
“The data translates to an increase of 601percent in road accidents involving motorists using cellular phones while driving,” she said.
She noted that “while cellular phones have become an integral part of our business and personal lives, the alarming figures on cell phone-related accidents has transformed this technological gadget into a dangerous device.”
Yap said her proposal would make criminals of drivers who use their cellphones, either by texting or voice calling, while they are driving. “Under the proposed measure, drivers will be pulled over by traffic enforcers if caught calling or texting while driving,” she added.
Yap stressed that “the danger is not only to the lives and limbs of the general driving public but also to the innocent pedestrians.”
“The early passage of the bill can save a lot of lives and properties and everyone shall benefit from the safety of our roads again,” Yap said.
Yap said that “although the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, it puts premium on the life and safety of the citizens by regulating the use of communication gadgets.”
Her proposal remains pending with the Committee on Transportation.
Similar bills were filed in the last Congress, but these were overtaken by the May elections last year. The past bills, however, imposed a fine of only P500 for a violator.
Studies have also shown that cellphone use while driving increases to four times the risk of accidents that also endangers pedestrians.
Records from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) metropolitan safety unit showed that there were 30,001 vehicular accidents in the metropolis during the first half of 2007 and “a number of these may be attributed to the use of mobile phones while driving.”
