HB 4917 & 1625: Regulate Texting and Driving

Two House Bills have been proposed that involves using cellphones while driving a vehicle — HB 4917 or the “Anti-Texting While Driving Act Of 2008” and HB 1625 or the “Cell Phone Safety Act”.

The first bill, HB04917, was filed last August 2008 by Rep. Irwin Tieng has the full title “An Act to Prohibit and Penalize Reading, Composing and Sending Electronic Messages while Driving, and for other Purposes”.

The second one (HB01625) was actually submitted much earlier, back in July of 2007, and is authored by Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Jr. It’s entitled “An Act Regulating the Use of Hand Held Cell Phones by Motorists”.

Both bills attempt to regulated making/receiving phone calls, sending/receiving text messages and probably a lot more. I have no qualms about that but there could be some other relevant usage of the mobile phone while driving that should be exempted. Here are some of the stuff on top of mind:

• Allowing use of handsfree devices to receive and make calls. Allowing use of in-car speaker-phones to make or takes calls.
• Allowing use of mobile phones while docked for navigational purposes (like using Nokia Maps for Mobile as long as it is docked in the dashboard of a vehicle and not held by hand).
• Allowing use of mobile phones as radio receiver and music player.

I believe these exceptions are reasonable and within bounds that will not distract the driver from focusing on the road while driving.

According to a report on Inquirer.net, some people in public service will also be exempted — like ambulance drivers, TV/radio reporters and persons doing official functions on emergency cases.

The bill seeks penalties of up to six months of imprisonment and fines up to Php100,000.