THE Mandaue City Council will deliberate in this afternoon’s session an ordinance that penalizes motorists using mobile phones while driving.
The “Anti-Distracted Driving Ordinance” authored by Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and Councilor Elstone Dabon penalizes violators with fines ranging from P1,000 on the first offense and P1,500 and impounding the vehicle for second, third and succeeding offenses.
The proposed ordinance defines distracted driving as motorists using cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices to send or read text messages, to make or receive calls and play games, watch movies and surf the web while driving.
The ordinance exempts drivers using the hands-free function and vehicles not in motion, except those that are temporarily halted by the red light and by traffic enforcers.
Also exempted were motorists using a cell phone for emergency purpose. Aside from four wheel vehicles, also prohibited were were trucks and public utility vehicles (PUVs).
A citywide public information campaign would be conducted for a period of one month by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), and private agencies and organizations.
Fortuna said the ordinance aims to protect the public from accidents and traffic congestion caused by distracted motorists.