In Iloilo Use of earphones while driving banned

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Iloilo City Council has passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of earphones while driving.

Authored by Councilor Jason Gonzales, Regulation Ordinance No. 2012-181 bans the use of earphones over one or both ears while driving a motor vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle around the metropolis to help reduce accidents and ensure the safety of riders.

Gonzales said the use of earphones while on the road averts the driver from hearing signals from other vehicles and may also lessen his attention and awareness to the traffic situation.

Persons caught violating this ordinance shall pay the penalty of P100 for first offense; P1,000 for second offense; and P3,000 plus confiscation of driver’s license for third and subsequent offenses.

The fine should be paid at the City Treasurer’s Office within five days from issuance of a citation ticket.

Exempted from the ordinance are persons operating authorized emergency vehicles; those engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highways, streets, bridges, waterways and other public works; those in the operation of refuse collection equipment who are wearing safety headsets or safety earplugs; persons wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels; and persons using prosthetic devices that aid those who are hard of hearing.

Special consideration is also given to undercover agents, police officers and other law enforcers on duty; official media practitioners with valid identification cards from their employers may use one earphone either on their left or right ear only; and members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) securing the President of the Philippines, PNP/PSPG personnel and licensed protection/security agents securing VIPs.