Alejo, Christian Allen S.

June 3, 2017

CE119-B1 Engr. Ramos

Anti-Distracted Driving Act, Excuses Some?

Ignorance of the law excuses no one, a quote very familiar to many of us. Being a citizen of a state,

we should know, be responsible, adhere, and follow the rules set by our government, otherwise we are

not excused to the sanctions and consequences of our stubbornness or unknowing. However, for law is

only created by man, the meaning may differ from perspectives of different people. It is never absolute.

This implies that the law and rules set by the government should be clearly defined and stated so

interpretation is trivial to most, if not all of us. If the law is defined obscurely, then its interpretation will

be problematic.

In the case of Republic Act 10913, otherwise known as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, the

interpretation is deemed to be very subjective and vague from man-to-man understanding. I would

recall a Facebook post where someone is complaining about how jeepneys windshields are full of

signboards (which are obvious to obstruct the line of sight of the driver) however are considered

acceptable upon inquiry to LTFRB; however, as for the case of private vehicles, rosaries hanged at their

windshields (which are very little compared to the signboards) are considered distractive. The location

also of mobile phones with navigation apps are also very vague. The agencies response to the inquiry of

people on the implementing rules and regulation of the act are varying and confusing. Their IRR is not

clearly and specifically stated. This is the reason as to why the agencies DOTr, LTO, LTFRB, HPG take heed

to the congress to defer the enforcement of the aforementioned act. They will review the IRR and will

conduct an information and education campaign as soon as the new IRR is crafted.