DOTC backs stiffer penalties for drunk driving

Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has expressed support for a Senate bill that prescribes stiffer penalties, including jail terms, for drunken drivers.

Sen. Richard Gordon recently filed Senate Bill 1898 that provides for jail terms of up to six years for persons repeatedly caught driving drunk or under the influence of illegal drugs.

Despite the deaths and injuries it causes, drunk driving draws light penalties under existing laws, unlike in some countries that have taken a tough stance against it, Mendoza explained in his press statement.

"A new law that would heavily penalize drunken driving is really needed. Thus, this proposed piece of legislation filed by Senator Richard Gordon is most welcome," he said.

Mendoza said the penalties on drunken driving should be made harsher even if the offense doesn’t lead to an accident.

Gordon’s bill also requires mandatory alcohol and drug testing for drivers involved in accidents. It also provides for the establishment of a Drunk Driving Prevention Fund to bankroll field sobriety tests and other administrative costs to be incurred if the law is implemented.

Mendoza said the DOTC and its attached agencies, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), are ready to send officials to the Senate to serve as resource persons when the bill is tackled at the committee level.