Bill bans cellphones while driving

A proposed law banning motorists from using cellphones while driving was passed on third and final reading in the House of Representatives. House Bill 4571, authored by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was unanimously approved before the House adjourned sine die last week.

The measure makes the use of hand-held mobile communication devices while driving a criminal offense.

Arroyo and his son, Camarines Sur

Rep. Dato Arroyo, have been listed as a principal author of the measure. Also included as principal authors are their opposition colleagues, Rep. Aurelio Gonzales (Lakas-Kampi, Pampanga) and Augusto Syjuco (Lakas-Kampi, Iloilo).

The bill will be known as “Anti-Mobile Communication Devices Use while Driving Act of 2011” if it becomes a law.

Earlier this year, the House approved on third and final reading another bill authored by the Arroyos prohibiting drunk driving.

The elder Arroyo noted that statistics indicated that a big number of road accidents have been caused by by drunk driving or by disrupted concentration while driving a vehicle. The former president said HB 4571 also bans the use of other mobile communication devices like two-way radios and pagers.

The prohibition does not cover motorists using mobile communication devices with the aid of hands-free devices.

Gonzales said operating cellular phones while driving is not only an inconvenience to other people but poses a danger as well.

“While some cities have enacted local ordinances prohibiting its use by drivers, there is a need to institute a similar measure on a nationwide scale to protect life, limb and property,” Gonzales said.

Also authored by Representatives Roger Mercado (NUP, Southern Leyte) and Romeo Acop (NPC, Antipolo City), HB 4571 imposes a graduated fine starting at P1,000. For the fourth offense, violators will be fined as much as P10,000 and their drivers license revoked.

The bill requires the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO), in coordination with private groups to launch a nationwide information, education and communication campaign for six months after the law takes effect.

By BEN R. ROSARIO