“ANTI-KAMOTE DRIVING BILL” FILED IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

To protect responsible drivers on the road that are being involved in a accident, Defensive Driving Act was filed (Photo courtesy of GMA News)

The responsible drivers on the road are affected by the accidents, the wrongdoer are the so-called " kamote driver." So the bill to protect reckless drivers is being filed in the chamber.

Many accidents happen in the country where the driver who is not at fault in the accident is the one who is arrested because the person responsible died or was injured. One of the examples of this is the counterflow of a man riding a motorcycle who had been drunk on the Skyway Stage 3, and crashed into an oncoming vehicle and died immediately. The vehicle in the right of way was arrested and paid damages before being released.

Such systems and situations in the country whenever there is an accident will be stop under House Bill No. 10679 or Defensive Driving Act filed in the House of Representatives. The purpose of this is to avoid arbitrary detention of drivers who weren’t guilty if the accident is caused by a "kamote" or irresponsible motorist.

"This bill prevents innocent drivers from being doubly victimized first by reckless drivers and then by an unfair legal process. Not all drivers can afford bail and pay a good lawyer. It's wrong that someone who was dragged into an accident would be jailed," PBA party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles said.

Under the proposal, it aims to amend the existing revised penal code so that the driver involved in the accident can no longer be arrested immediately if it can be proven that he/she was not at fault or violated the traffic law.

Dash cam footage, CCTV footage, or any video or photo from witnesses can be used as proof of Defensive Driving. The proposal also clarified that the vehicles involved in the accident can still be impounded. This will not remove the driver's liability or responsibility despite the evidence presented, so the relatives of those injured or killed in the accident can still file a complaint.

For now, the proposal will only be considered for first reading. Time to submit to the committee among the things to be investigated is how the discretion of the police or traffic enforcer in deciding on the spot if the driver will be jailed or not.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]