Baldomero, Ismael III A.

Bonsol, John Derhick M.

Enriquez, Joshua V.
Hubilla, Herbert C.
Linmark, Gian Franco
Pino, Merwin Agustine M.

EARLY LAWS THAT REGULATE ROADWAYS

The WHO says 1.25 million people die in road crashes every year. In the Philippines,
various laws and policies have been crafted to arrest the number of road crash fatalities. Every
year, 1.25 million people die in road crashes an alarming figure for what experts say is a
preventable global health issue. Various proposals have been raised to arrest the alarming number
of road crashes, with lawmakers crafting proposals to improve road safety measures: from the need
to rethink the design and construction of roads and keep them up to date with international
standards, to implementing proper road safety education and training. The list down are existing
laws and policies on road safety in the Philippines, including proposed measures still pending in
Congress.

SPEED LIMITS

Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act No. 4136)

Enacted: June 20, 1964

The Land Transportation and Traffic Code took effect on June 20, 1964. It also mandates allowable
speed limits on open country roads, city and municipal streets, among others.

It also imposes sanctions on reckless driving. Violators will be punished under the provisions of
the Revised Penal Code.
Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10916)

Enacted: July 2016

Under this law, public utility vehicles, closed vans, cargo trailers, shuttle services, or tanker trucks
are not allowed to ply roads without a standard speed limiter approved by the Department of
Transportation.

These vehicles will also be barred from acquiring registration or franchise without the required
speed limiters.

USE OF SEAT BELT

Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8750)

Enacted: August 5, 1999

The Seat Belt Law requires the driver and front seat passengers of a public or private vehicle to
wear seat belts while inside the moving vehicle. It also prohibits infants and children 6 years old
and below from sitting in the front seat of any running motor vehicle.

Car manufacturers, assemblers and distributors have to ensure that seat belt devices are properly
installed in the vehicles. For jeepneys, manufacturers shall install a lap belt only in the drivers
seat and front passengers seats.
DISTRACTED DRIVING

Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10913)

Enacted: July 21, 2016

Motorists are banned from using a mobile communications device to write, send, or read a text-
based communication or to make or receive calls, and using an electronic entertainment or
computing device to play games, watch movies, surf the Internet, compose messages, read e-
books, perform calculations while the vehicle is in motion or stopped at a red traffic light.

Using a mobile communications device is not considered distracted driving if done using a hands-
free function or similar devices.
DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING

Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10586)

Enacted: May 2013

Under this law, motorists cannot drive if they are under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs,
or other inebriating substances.

Law enforcement officers are mandated to assess whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol
and dangerous drugs. Usual warning signs include the evident smell of alcohol or if the driver has
reddish eyes or a flushed face.

Motorists will undergo sobriety tests and have his blood alcohol content (BAC) level assessed.
Those with BAC level above the allowable limit will have their license confiscated.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR DRIVERS

Professional Drivers Education Act (House Bill 5380)

Filing date: January 29, 2015

Status: Pending with the House Committee on Transportation since February 4, 2015

Provisions: The bill requires drivers in the public transportation industry applying for or renewing
their professional drivers license to undergo a drivers education and road safety program. If the
driver passes the program, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will issue a certification.

The bill also directs the LTO to analyze data on road accidents that can help monitor the effectivity
of the program.

Professional Truck Driver's Education Act (House Bill 5107)

Filing date: October 16, 2014

Status: Pending with the House Committee on Transportation since October 22, 2014

Provisions: The bill seeks to require driver education for truck drivers. According to the measure's
proponent, Bulacan 4th District Representative Linabelle Villarica, current accreditation
procedures do not have programs specifically designed for truck drivers.
Competence Accreditation Program and Minimum Wage for Bus Drivers Act of 2011 (House
Bill 4459)

Filing date: March 23, 2011

Status: Pending with the Committee on Labor and Employment since May 9, 2011

Provisions: Under this bill, drivers should obtain proper training and undergo an accreditation
program before they can operate. The bill also proposes providing drivers with fixed monthly
salaries.

Road Safety Education Act of 2011 (House Bill 4890)

Filing date: June 30, 2011

Status: Pending with the Committee on Basic Education and Culture since July 27, 2011

Provisions: The bill aims to ensure the protection of the vulnerable road users by supporting all
road safety strategic measures and programs that will [be] inculcate[d] in the minds of school
children through early basic education, behavioral changes and discipline in road use."

Under the bill, 3 government agencies should collaborate to impose its provisions: the Departments
of Education, Transportation, and Public Works and Highways.

Road Courtesy, Discipline and Traffic Safety Education Act (House Bill 6098)

Filing date: May 2, 2012

Status: Pending with the Committee on Basic Education and Culture since May 14, 2012
Provisions: A new subject called road courtesy, discipline, and traffic safety education will be
included in the curriculum of Grade 1 to 4th year high school students.

The Department of Education (DepED) is tasked to enact the rules to implement the provisions of
the act, in partnership with the LTO.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Motorcycle Helmet Act Of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10054)

Enacted: March 23, 2010

The law requires motorcycle drivers and back riders to wear standard motorcycle helmets on the
road to prevent life-threatening crashes.

Violators will be fined P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, P5,000 for the
third offense and P10,000 plus the confiscation of drivers license for the fourth and succeeding
offenses.

Childrens Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015 (Republic Act No. 10666)

Enacted: July 21, 2015

Under this law, children who can comfortably reach their feet on the standard foot peg of the
motorcycle and grasp the waist of the driver are allowed to ride motorcycles. The child also has to
wear a helmet.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act (House Bill 6463)

Filing date: February 15, 2016

Status: Pending with the Committee on Transportation since May 23, 2016
Provisions: The bill seeks to penalize automobile owners or operators who knowingly allow
someone without a drivers license to borrow his or her motor vehicle.

The prohibition, however, does not apply to a person or corporation licensed to engage in a driving
school business.

Motorcycle Toll Lanes Act of 2012 (House Bill 6136)

Filing date: May 9, 2012

Status: Pending with the Committee on Transportation since May 16, 2012

Provisions: The bill proposes the creation of motorcycle lanes or facilities on major toll roads that
lead to the National Capital Region (NCR). The move seeks to lessen the growing number of
accidents involving motorists from nearby provinces of the region. The bill covers major toll roads
leading to the NCR and exiting to Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna.

USE AND INSTALLATION OF ACCESSORY DEVICES

Dashcam Act of 2015 (House Bill 6050)

Filing date: August 25, 2015

Status: Pending with the Committee on Transportation since August 26, 2015

Provisions: Under this bill, the installation of dashboard cameras or systems in public utility
vehicles will be required. A dashcam is a camera mounted on the dashboard that can record the
vehicles activities, with some units able to record driving speed, road routes, seat belt usage, and
steering and braking events.
An Act Prohibiting the Use of High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlamps (House Bill 3769)

Filing date: December 1, 2010

Status: Pending with the Committee on Transportation since December 27, 2010

Provisions: This bill seeks to ban the use of bright white headlights or high intensity discharge
(HID) headlamps in motor vehicles to reduce road accidents.

The bills author, Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares, said using HID
headlights can cause inconvenience to other motorists due to its excessive brightness, adding that
many countries have already prohibited its use.
SAFETY OF CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

Bicycle Act of 2016 (House Bill 174)

Filing date: June 30, 2016

Status: Pending with the Committee on Transportation since July 26, 2016

Provisions: The bill seeks to institutionalize bike lanes or bikeways in all major roads and
highways, to be identified by the Local Bikeways Office under the supervision of the city or
municipal engineers office

Pedestrian Protection Act of 2013 (House Bill 1752)

Filing date: July 24, 2013

Status: Pending with the Committee on Public Works and Highways since July 31, 2013
Provisions: The bill outlines the rights of pedestrians on public roads, and the responsibility of
drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing the street. Local government units and the public works
department are also mandated to provide sidewalks for public use, and to ensure that there are
clearly marked signages.

CREATION OF AGENCIES

National Transportation Safety Board Act of 2013 (House Bill 3089)

Filing date: October 7, 2013

Status: Referred to stakeholders on January 12, 2015

Provisions: This bill aims to create the National Transportation Safety Board that will investigate
transportation-related accidents on land, sea, air, and railway and pipeline systems.

To pursue this goal, the board will be appropriated an initial fund of P30 million for its first year
of operation.

At least 2 other House measures had been filed seeking the same move: House Bill 04 and House
Bill 2463.

National Motor Vehicle Safety Administration Act (House Bill 6310)

Filing date: December 7, 2015

Status: Pending with the Committee on Transportation since December 8, 2015

Provisions: The bill aims to establish the National Motor Vehicle Safety Administration (NMVSA)
which will prescribe standards for motor vehicles, carry out research and development, and
investigate causes of road crashes and accidents.