SEN. Joseph Victor Ejercito yesterday asked the Department of Justice and the PNP to help craft measures so that the “unfair detention” of innocent drivers involved in road accidents would end.
During the Committee on Public Services hearing on Senate Bill No. 1976 or the Fair Traffic Act filed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Ejercito said there were instances where motorists were detained even if they were not at fault in a road accident.
Ejercito recalled an instance when the police detained the driver of a delivery van which was properly parked after it was hit by an intoxicated motorcycle rider who later died.
“We need to prevent detention of motorists who are not responsible (for the accident) especially if there is CCTV or enough evidence that will prove their innocence,” Ejercito said.
He said the DOJ and the PNP can help the Senate come up with a measure so that similar incidents may be prevented.
SBN 1976 was filed by Tulfo in March last year to enforce fair traffic apprehension, granting compensation to drivers for improper traffic apprehension, and imposing administrative sanctions for erring traffic enforcers.
“The proposed bill seeks to provide compensation to drivers of motor vehicles who are wrongly apprehended for traffic violations. This compensation is aimed at covering the losses incurred by drivers due to the wrongful apprehension such as loss of time, missed appointments, and additional transportation costs,” Tulfo said in the bill’s explanatory note.
He said the bill also seeks to hold erring traffic enforcers accountable for their wrong actions and prevent them from abusing their authority.
“The bill aims to promote transparency and accountability in the country’s traffic enforcement system. It is hoped that this will lead to a fairer and more efficient system that benefits both motorists and the government,” he added.
