Accountability of accident victims: PB backs liability bill

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu provincial government is in support of pedestrians and motorcyclists being given equal accountability as drivers in vehicular accidents.

Just recently, Iligan City representative Frederick Siao filed House Bill No. 187. If passed, the law will be called the "Philippine Responsible Driving and Accountability Act."

This law, according to its author is aimed to be "fair to the drivers who were not at fault."

Under the bill, a driver will not be deemed completely accountable for accidents where victim pedestrians are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and prescription medication, not using the pedestrian lane or road intersection in crossing the street, crossed the highway instead of using a footbridge, are bikers not wearing the prescribed gear, and/or under the minimum speed limit, or drivers who did not have the right of way or have non-functional headlights.

Drivers will be deemed not at fault when they do not flee from the scene of the accident, or suffer from a medical emergency.

The bill also enumerates the types of unsafe driving behaviors as dangerous driving, reckless driving, suicidal driving, terroristic driving, careless driving, impaired driving, and irresponsible custody of the vehicle.

This bill, according to the Cebu Provincial Board through a resolution passed this week, "will radically change the road rules and improve road safety." — BRP (FREEMAN)