Christmas time, declared as the most wonderful time of the year, is also the time when roads become the areas for testing courtesy, patience, and most important of all, safety.

Traffic around Metro Manila and major cities around the country have become denser, slower and more exasperating.  The season brings more reasons to go out for business, pleasure, and to continue the tradition of giving cheer, which also means shopping for gifts. 

Roads around shopping malls, hotels and restaurants are almost on standstill condition. The flow of vehicles connecting to other destinations are now on crawling speed for many reasons, one of them arrogant and impatient drivers who defy road signs and block passing lanes just to avoid the lines on left or right turn lanes.

Motorists and commuters need more patience every time they go out these days, and hopefully they practice road courtesy too. Patience and courtesy on the road are necessary to keep the traffic flow moving, and to keep the roads safe especially during the Christmas season, also the time for parties and family reunions.

There are two laws that can change the holiday spirit for motorists, mainly because these carry heavy fines: the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10586), and the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (Republic Act 10913). 

RA 10586 is “an act penalizing persons driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and similar substances.” Law enforcement officials can ask drivers to pull over if they show signs of driving under the influence, such as overspeeding, weaving, lane straddling, sudden stops, swerving, poor coordination. When pulled over, the evident smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath can confirm the violation.

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) “prohibits a person who is driving a motor vehicle from holding and using mobile communication devices and electronic entertainment gadgets. The prohibition applies while the motor vehicle is in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection.”
There had been many campaigns to inform the public about the two laws.  But we still read about fatal road accidents caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And many motorists still experience a traffic slowdown because of a driver whose attention was focused on a mobile phone.
Getting caught comes with penalties that will surely dampen the holiday mood. Under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, even if no one is injured, those caught violating the law will face a penalty of a fine ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱80,000, and three months imprisonment. The penalties are higher if the violation caused injury or death, which can go up to ₱500,000.

A more usual sight along the road these days are motorists checking their phones. The fines may not be as high but it will still take away a few thousands from one’s holiday budget. Violators will be penalized with a fine of ₱5,000 for the first offense, ₱10,000 for the second offense, and ₱15,000 for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver's license. Violations incurred beyond the third offense shall be penalized with the revocation of driver's license and a fine of ₱20,000, according to an advisory of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Keep our roads safe. Keep the holiday cheer on the road!