LTO to public: Take gripes vs. drunk driving law to Congress

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office-7 is determined to implement the anti-drunk and drugged driving law as soon as it gets the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

LTO-7 regional director Raul Aguilos said that should there be some proposals to amend or review the law, it is not within their authority but of Congress.

At the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday, Aguilos explained that the objective of the law is to prevent road accident caused by drivers who are drunk. Aguilos emphasized the importance of the objective of law, not the particular personalities in purportedly targets. 

"Ang importante ani ang personal discipline, proper values. Kung naa nay balaud, hinaut unta nga subay lang ta sa balaud," Aguilos said.

Aguilos said it will not matter if some local government units will not cooperate since the LTO and its deputized agents will implement the law.

He urged people not to drink before driving or not to drive if one has drunk.

"Importante  gyud is makat-on, ma-edukar ang ato katawhan nga dili na intawn mag-inom kung mo-drive ug dili na mo-drive kung mag-inom," Aguilos said.

Violators will be fined as much as P500,000 as well as meted a corresponding jail term.

President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10586, otherwise known as the Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs and Other Similar Substances last week. The law mandates the LTO, the Philippine National Police and deputized local traffic enforcers to conduct sobriety tests on drivers suspected of being drunk. Traffic enforcers are required to use a breathalyzer to determine the blood alcohol concentration level of a person.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday suggested Cebu congressmen should make initiatives to have the law reviewed and the penalties reduced saying it might be exploited by corrupt enforcers and government officials.

Several motorists, and the public in general, were so surprised by the sudden signing of the law.

Rama described RA 10586 as a "crazy law" because most of the people, if apprehended for driving while under the influence of liquor, may not be able to pay their huge fines of P20,000 to P80,000. The fine can reach P100,000 to P200,000 if the accident will result to injuries, and P300,000 to P500,000 if the accident will result to deaths.

However his running mate in the last election, vice mayor-elect Edgardo Labella said he has no problem with the law or its penalties as these serve as a deterrent to drunk driving.

LTO Chief Virginia Torres is hoping that they can draft the IRR for RA 10586 within three months because they are going to discuss the matter with the officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Health and National Police Commission.

Among the important issues to be discussed is the level of alcohol in the blood for a driver to be considered in violation of the new law because the World Health Organization is recommending that alcohol blood level should not exceed to 0.05 percent, or not more than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

The blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent may be equivalent to four to five bottles of alcoholic beverages, although the effect would depend on an individual's body type or how a person can absorb alcohol. — (FREEMAN)