Texting while driving
A bill filed at the House of Representatives that seeks to prohibit texting while driving is, without question, something that the country needs to promote road safety. But do you think it will work once the bill is passed and implemented? I don't think so.
The country has so many traffic laws that are all geared toward keeping motorists and pedestrians safe from accidents. But these laws are just that, laws. They look good on paper but are not really effective because they are not properly and strictly implemented.
Take for instance Republic Act 8750 which provides for the use of seatbelts in public and private motor vehicles. The law, enacted in 1999, is one of the most violated traffic laws in the country. Taxi drivers only fasten their seatbelts whenever they see traffic enforcers or Land Transportation Office personnel conducting checks. Most jeepney drivers don't use their seatbelts, and if ever they do fasten their seatbelts, the quality of these, especially since jeepneys originally don't come with seatbelts, are questionable. Now let's go to private vehicles, which really come with seatbelts. Do drivers of private vehicles use their seatbelts? Perhaps some drivers fasten their seatbelts, but not all. Have there been arrests? Maybe only a few especially when traffic personnel conduct checks but on most days, drivers are free to just let their seatbelts hang loose.
Then there's this law that requires the use of crash helmets among motorcycle and bicycle riders. This too, promotes road safety. But is there proper and strict implementation of this law? Again, only when the LTO and traffic policemen conduct checks, and mostly only in the urban areas. Many motorcycle and bicycle riders get away without wearing helmets. Heck, even policemen are among the violators of this law!
The simplest of traffic rules such as "No Stopping", "No Loading and Unloading", and the proper use of lanes are being repeatedly violated by both public and private motorists because traffic authorities are not there 24/7 to strictly implement the laws. It seems like traffic enforcers are playing a game of "hide and seek" with motorists. This "hide and seek" game has encouraged drivers to just follow traffic laws when there are enforcers around.
The bill that seeks to prohibit texting while driving is well-meaning especially in a country that is considered as the texting capital of the world. The law can help prevent accidents caused by inattentiveness while on the road. In fact, other countries do not just ban texting, but the use of mobile phones and hands-free kits while driving. Some countries have even implemented such law as early as 1998.
But laws will only serve their purpose if properly and strictly implemented. Motorists in the
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