Dad seeks to punish drivers who leave accident victims

A Cebu City councilor has filed a proposed ordinance before the city council that seeks to penalize people who cause vehicular accidents and abandon or fail to give assistance to their victims.

Councilor Hilario Davide III sponsored the said proposed measure to address concerns of pedestrians or victims of vehicular accidents over the lack of concern for human life in our streets and highways.

"Many reckless drivers causing such accidents resulting in death or injury to hapless pedestrians or occupants of another vehicle abandon their victims or refuse to extend assistance to them to avoid arrest or to evade identification," Davide said.

As such, Davide wants these drivers to be fined from P3,000 to P5,000 or jailed for three to six months, or both at the discretion of the court.

In filing the said proposed measure, Davide explained many victims killed as a result of vehicular accidents could have been saved if they were immediately brought to hospitals. More often than not, people who cause vehicular accidents escape from their responsibility instead of giving aid.

"Such an ordinance may yet instill discipline among our city's drivers and make them more careful and diligent, promote road safety, save more lives of victims of vehicular accidents, and ensure the prosecution of cases against reckless drivers," Davide stressed.

Davide's proposed ordinance was presented to the city council during its regular session last week. It was referred to the committee on laws for study and review. - Cristina C. Birondo