THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday reminded motorists to keep their eyes on the road while driving and not on their cellular phones.
The agency reported that more than 300 have been apprehended since January this year for violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act.
“From January to August 15 this year, 341 motorists were apprehended for violating the Anti-Distracted Driving Act or RA 10913,” MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said.
Under RA 10913, the use of cellular phones and other gadgets is strictly prohibited while driving.
The prohibition also applies while the vehicle is temporarily stopped at a traffic light or intersection.
Violators will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 for the third offense with a three-month suspension of their driver’s license.
Violations incurred beyond the third offense will be penalized with the revocation of driver’s license and a fine of P20,000.
“We should not use our cellphones while driving as its use, to answer a message or a call, while driving could get you distracted and result to accidents,” Artes said.
Artes said he has directed MMDA traffic enforcers to strictly enforce RA 10913 and accost motorists using their phones or gadgets while driving.
Earlier, the agency said it recorded 44,493 vehicular accidents in the metropolis from January to July but did not say how many motorists were using gadgets while driving.
Of these, 32,800 resulted in damage to property, 167 fatal accidents, and 11,525 non-fatal injuries.
