The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) caught more than 75 drivers violating the Anti-Distracted Driving Act through the “no contact apprehension” policy on the first few hours of enforcement of the law yesterday.
Majority of the violators were motorcycle riders caught using their mobile devices as they got stalled in traffic or waited for the go signal.
From 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Metrobase recorded 78 violations committed by drivers of motorcycles, 47; private cars, 19; public utility buses, five; and trucks, seven.
Metrobase personnel were able to capture through closed circuit television cameras drivers using mobile devices texting and receiving calls.
Vicente Felizardo, Metrobase operations commander, said the recorded violations would still be reviewed and violators would be informed of their violation through mail.
Violators would receive notices sent by the agency.
The agency will send notices to the owners of vehicles caught on camera based on the license plate information stored in database of the Land Transportation Office.
The motorist may contest the violation before the MMDA’s Traffic Adjudication Division (TAD) within seven days from receipt of the notice.
Violators who ignore the summons would not be able to renew the registration of their vehicles in the LTO.
Under Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, violators will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver’s license. (Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren)
