POSITION PAPER

Ban of Using Cellular Phones While Driving

Introduction

Cell phones or mobile phones have become a very important part of our lives. Nowadays, it is

very difficult to imagine our live without a cell phone as most of our work is done using cell phones.

Through phones we can explore wherever we want, go shopping, used for the beneficial in studies, for

an entertainment and having fun by playing games and watching movies. But the most important reason

of having phones is for the communication. By it, we can text, call or even see someone by video calling

and it is very important to us to stay connected with our loved ones.

Phones have really changed the way of communication. Cell phones are the most used

communication tool today.

Texting while driving

We live in a technology driven time when people multitask behind the wheel. And with today’s

technology, it’s hard to keep away from phones that connect us with the many pleasures of the world.

The truth is that multitasking behind the wheel is very dangerous and could cost you your life. Text,

emails and phone calls; it all can wait! If you don’t make it home alive your weekend plans really won’t

matter much anymore.

Texting and driving is one of the largest epidemics to sweep our nation. The progression of text

messaging, with more capable phones and larger numbers of people engaging than ever before, has

turned into one of the largest distractions in our world. People are constantly fixated on their phones,
checking Twitter, Facebook and text messages. The use of a cell phone while driving is extremely

distracting and dangerous to the person behind the wheel, and everyone else on the road as well. Every

year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of

using their cell phone while behind the wheel. This statistic is expected to grow as much as 4% every

year.

We as a society need to all take responsibility when we are on the road and avoid the many

temptations and distractions surrounding us. Distracted driving is dangerous plain and simple. Some

may be willing to take the risk because they have never had an accident while behind the wheel. But it’s

not fair to make another pay the price of your careless action behind the wheel. Every time you get

behind the wheel and pull out your phone you are taking a risk of killing yourself or someone else. If

you are texting while driving you’re 23.2 time more likely to get into an accident. More people are guilty

of texting and driving than any other form of distracted driving in the Philippines.

I can attest that cell phones are valuable assists to our society, with helping us stay connected to

our families and loved ones, and breaking new ground every year with more advanced cell phones than

ever before. It’s amazing what we can do with a device so small, and what dangerous consequences

come when we use them unwisely. There is a time and a place to update your “Facebook” status, check

your latest “tweets”, watch the latest viral “YouTube” video, or call and text your friends, and that place

does not belong behind a wheel of a two-ton automobile, while coasting in a school zone. I’m speaking

metaphorically of course, but there are several situations that can cause accidents that range from

minor to fatal when it comes to talking or texting while driving.

Texting while driving injures and kills several people each year. Many of us have probably seen

these accidents in the news or even on the road and many of us are still guilty of texting and driving to

spite the dangers. No text is worth your life! So why do people still text and drive and who needs to

take responsibility for the problem. Most people know driving drunk is wrong and won’t do it yet they
will pull out their cell phone while behind the wheel without even thinking twice about it. Texting and

driving can be deadly yet so many of us our guilty of doing it. So who is really responsibly for correcting

the problem and bringing more public awareness about the dangers of texting behind the wheel?

Our Government

Currently, thirty-five states and countries have enacted complete bans on texting for all drivers.

And Philippines is one of these countries. The Anti-Distracted Driving Act took effect on May 18, 2017

under the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Under the law, drivers are only allowed to

use hands-free functions of gadgets, such as speaker phones, provided that these do not block their line

of sight. The implementing agency is the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under the Department of

Transportation that was tasked to promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within

60 days from the effectivity of the Act. It also ordered the LTO, the Philippine Information Agency, the

Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine

National Police (PNP) to undertake a nationwide information, education and communication campaign

for a period of 6 months from the effectivity of the Act. The Metropolitan Manila Development

Authority, the PNP and other law enforcement agencies are required to enforce the act.

A motorist caught in violation of the Act shall be fined ₱5,000 for the first offense, ₱10,000 for

the second offense, and ₱15,000 for the third offense plus suspension of his or her driving license for 3

months. On the fourth offense, the erring driver shall be fined ₱20,000 plus a revocation of the driving

license. The LTO, as implementing agency, may increase the amount of fines once every five years, in the

amount not exceeding 10 percent of the existing rates, which shall take effect only upon publication in

at least two newspapers of general circulation.

 There are also exemptions for this law. The act does not apply to: Motorists using mobile

phones for emergency purposes, including emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, health care

provider, fire department or other emergency services; Motorists operating emergency vehicles such as

ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, in the course and scope of their duties.

Implementing this kind of act must be stricter because there are lives that may be affected

when there will be an accident happens. Conducting lots of seminars and educational lessons about

texting while driving may lessen this problems in our surroundings.

Conclusion

The dangers of distracted driving, specifically texting while driving, cost thousands of Filipino

their lives every year. The number has steadily increased as texting has become increasingly popular. In

order to effectively diminish the amount of texting while driving deaths, it is necessary that the federal

government pass legislation that will unify laws against and strengthen punishment for texting while

driving. The new laws must also include all ages, not just young drivers, because distracted driving

affects everyone’s ability to drive safely. It should also no longer be a question when and where texting

behind the wheel is illegal. Every state should have the same exact laws against texting. The

punishments must also be stiffened, forcing people to reach deeper into their pockets if caught texting.

A heftier fine, as well as license suspension would be a strong deterrent for people to keep their fingers

off the keypad. Besides new laws against texting while driving, it is also vital that the government

provide strong education programs thoroughly describing the dangers of all types of distracted driving,

specifically focusing on texting.