
LRAY WANTS TOUGHER LAW VS DRUNK DRIVING
WITH the increasing number of accidents or even deaths involving drunk drivers, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte is batting for a sterner implementation of drive-safety rules, especially one that penalizes driving while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, as he sought the congressional approval of a proposed law empowering the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to deputize more traffic enforcers to apprehend intoxicated drivers.
Villafuerte, National Unity Party (NUP) president, hopes that the Congress could still consider passing a pending measure authorizing the LTO to deputize traffic enforcers, as the deputization of more traffic enforcers has become a major concern for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The former Camarines Sur governor and now congressman recalled that the MMDA last year decided to tap local government unit (LGU) traffic enforcers on a provisional basis, after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the MMDA had supervision over traffic regulations in the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the total number of road accidents rose by a third to 703 over the 15-day period from Dec. 22, 2024, to Jan. 6 this year, of which 127 of the accident victims were classified as DUI.
Villafuerte has filed House Bill (HB) No. 7968 seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, that penalizes persons driving under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs by setting “the mandatory deputation of law enforcement officers from other agencies to conduct regular roadside operations and apprehend such traffic violators.”
“HB 7968 also seeks to integrate road safety and drivers’ education into the K-to-12 curriculum of the DepEd (Department of Education) to ensure that the ill effects of drunk and drugged driving are instilled early among our students,” Villafuerte said.
The MMDA bared plans last year to temporarily deputize traffic enforcers of Metro Manila’s 17 LGUs for them to continue issuing violation tickets to errant motorists.
According to a report, the MMDA and the national capital’s mayors announced this move after tackling in a Metro Manila Council (MMC) Special Meeting the SC’s ruling that the MMDA, and not the LGUs, had jurisdiction over traffic regulations in the metropolis.
Villafuerte, who authored HB 7968 with Bicol Saro Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan, said the congressional approval of this proposed amendatory law will support the state’s task to ensure road safety through the observance of the citizenry of responsible and ethical driving standards set by RA 10586.
Villafuerte explained that one drawback to the effective implementation of RA 10586 is “the inadequate number of LTO personnel to enforce them by conducting regular roadside operations and apprehending traffic violators.”
Hence, “the bill aims to guarantee mandatory deputation for successful law enforcement through sufficient manpower that would conduct regular roadside operations and ensure a proactive and continuous implementation of RA 10586,” he said.
To increase the number of traffic enforcers on the road, Villafuerte said the bill seeks to empower the LTO to deputize traffic enforcement officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), MMDA and of the city and municipal governments to ensure full and effective implementation of the provisions of the measure.
“The PNP, MMDA and local traffic enforcement officers in cities and municipalities shall annually submit a list of law enforcement officers who may be deputized in accordance with the provision of this Act, without prejudice to the qualifications and guidelines that the LTO may impose,” he said.
Under the bill, the DepEd shall likewise “integrate road safety and drivers’ education into the K to 12 curriculum to ensure awareness of the ill effects of drunk and drugged driving is instilled in child development stage.”
The bill also proposes a nationwide information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on road safety.
It states that within a month from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the measure, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in coordination with the LTO, LGUs and other concerned agencies, shall conduct an IEC campaign for the attainment of the objectives of the bill.
HB 7986 directs the LTO to regularly conduct random terminal inspection and quick random drug tests of public utility drivers.
“Should a driver be found positive for drug use, appropriate action shall be undertaken and the operator shall likewise be made liable if found to be non-compliant with the guidelines of the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) on drug-free workplaces,” Villafuerte said. “The cost of such tests shall be defrayed by the LTO.”
The bill states that the LTO must conduct random terminal inspections and quick random drug tests of drivers to ensure road safety.
Earlier, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported that about 11,000 accidents have been recorded each year because of road crashes mainly owing to drunk driving, overspeeding, texting while driving and human error.
Drivers found guilty of violating RA 10586 are liable for fines ranging from P20,000 to P500,000, and with jail time of three months to 20 years, if the accident leads to physical injuries or homicide.
The measure also states that “should a driver be found positive for drug use, appropriate action shall be undertaken and the operator shall likewise be made liable if found to be non-compliant with the guidelines of the DOLE on drug-free workplaces.”
The driver’s license of anyone driving a motor vehicle shall be confiscated and revoked if he or she refuses to go through quick random drug testing.