FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
5ENAT~ 
5.B.' No.1:': 4 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Government's strategy for improving road safety was originally mandated under 
Administrative Order No. 222 dated 30 May 1991 entitled as "Providing for the Creation 
of the Inter-Agency Road Safety Committee and Other Purposes," as amended. 
Currently, regulations relating to Traffic Rules and Safety are promulgated through 
several legislative acts, decrees, orders and other issuances. These various 
enactments overlap as well as confuse the public resulting not only to accidents but also 
widespread violation of traffic rules and regulations. 
This bill aims to make these various promulgations uniform and consistent throughout 
the country. The proposed measure integrated relevant existing laws and combine them 
with new regulations required for the implementation of new Road Safety Act across the 
country. 
The provisions contained in the Act are designed to improve road safety and help 
achieve casualty reduction targets. The bill covers a wide range of road safety matters 
which transpired from the consolidation of trans~ort bills proposed before the Senate 
Public Services Committee during the 1zth and 14 h Congress. 
Ultimately, the bill seeks to promote travel safety and prevent road accidents in the 
country. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
·rftIONG REVILLA, JR. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENAT~ 
S.B. 'No. 
.d. 4 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING ROAD SAFETY MEASURES, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress, assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Road Safety Act" 
Section 2. Scope of Application. This Act shall apply to the management of land 
traffic on all roads, streets, thoroughfares and highways within the territorial 
jurisdiction of the Philippines, including those in subdivisions regardless of the 
nature of its ownership, where the protection ort preservation of public safety, 
health, comfort, morale, welfare or general well-being of the inhabitants, require 
the enforcement thereon of any of the provisions of this Act 
Section 3. Obedience to Members of the Police Force. Every pedestrian and 
driver shall, at all times, obey the signal by hand of a member of the police force 
in uniform or reasonable oral instructions of any member of the police force, 
including duly authorized traffic aides irrespective of any provisions contained in 
this Act. 
Section 4. Exemptions for Emergency Vehicles. Any provision in this Act to the 
contrary notwithstanding, the driver of any emergency vehicle may when it is 
expedient and safe to do so; 
1) On reducing speed and sounding a siren, bell or repeater horn, proceed 
past a traffic control signal displaying a red or amber circle or a red or 
amber arrow or proceed contrary to the direction or instruction of any 
traffic-control item; 
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2) On sounding a siren, bell or repeater horn, drive in any direction or on any 
part of a road or overtake or pass on either side of another vehicle; 
3) Stop, leave waiting or park the vehicle at any space at any time; 
4) Exceed the speed limits prescribed in Section 44 of Article X. 
ARTICLE II 
DEFINITIONS 
Section 5. Definitions of Words and Phrases. Unless inconsistent with the 
context or subject matter, the following words and phrases have the following 
meanings: 
1) Accessories - the device or apparatus that can be connected to the 
cellular phone such as, but not limited to, earphones, microphones, jacks, 
capable of sending, receiving, storing or otherwise processing messages 
from other gadgets of communication; 
2) Articulated Vehicle - a motor vehicle having at its rear a portion of wheels 
which is pivoted to, and a part of which is super-imposed on and 
supported by the front portion of the vehicle; 
3) Bicycle - any two-wheeled vehicle designed to be propelled solely by 
human power; 
4) Bicycle path or lane - a way established for the exclusive use of bicycles 
including tricycles propelled by human power but excluding pushcarts and 
animal-drawn vehicles; 
5) Built-up area - a length of road on which there is substantial building 
development; 
6) Bus - a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for 
carrying more than 10 persons; 
7) Cargo - includes chattel, personal and other movable property; 
8) Cargo Vehicle - any vehicle designed and ordinarily used for the carriage 
of cargo; 
9) Canter - in relation to thoroughfare shall mean a line or series of lines, 
marks or other indication placed at or near the middle of the thoroughfare 
or in the absence of any such lines, marks or other indications, the middle 
of the marked travelled portion of the thoroughfare; 
1 0) Cellular Phone - a mobile hand-carried phone which can send messages 
through short messages sending or text messaging or through dial-up 
system of communication like the telephone; 
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11 )Clearway - a length of thoroughfare indicated by appropriate signs where 
the standing or stopping of vehicles for purposes of parking or loading or 
for any purpose which would obstruct the flow of traffic, is prohibited; 
12)Assistant Secretary of the Land Transportation of or his deputies - the 
actual or acting head of the Land Transportation Office (L TO) or such 
representatives, deputies, or assistants as he may, with the approval of 
the Secretary of Department of Transportation and Communications 
(DOTC), appoint or designate in writing for the purpose contemplated by 
this Act; 
13)Continuing road - in relation to an intersection shall mean a road which, 
by virtue of its traffic functions, statutory deSignations and/or physical form 
is continuous through the intersection; 
14)Dangerous SUbstance - a substance by which by its very nature may 
cause harm, damage or injury to persons or property; 
15)Dealer - every person, association, partnership or corporation making, 
manufacturing, constructing, assembling, remodelling, rebuilding, or 
setting up motor vehicles; and every such entity acting as agent for the 
sale of one or more makes, styles, or kinds of motor vehicles, dealing in 
motor vehicles, keeping the same in stock or selling same or handling 
with a view to trading same; 
16)Driver- any person driving or in control of a vehicle; 
17)Electrical Accessories - the horn, brake, headlight and turn signals; 
18)Emergency Vehicle - a motor vehicle: 
a. Conveying members of the police force on urgent police duty; 
b. Conveying members of fire brigade travelling to or on duty at any 
place in consequence of a fire or an alarm of fire; 
c. Being an ambulance or any other vehicle, answering an urgent call 
or conveying to a hospital any injured or sick person urgently 
requiring treatment; 
d. Being used to obtain or convey blood or other supplies, drugs, or 
equipment for a person urgently requiring treatment which mayor 
may not carry a siren, bell or repeater horn for use as warning 
instrument; or 
e. Duly authorized as an emergency vehicle for purposes of this Act 
by the proper authority. 
All emergency vehicles shall carry flashing lights of such color as may 
be prescribed by the proper authority; 
19)Engage in Call 
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a. Means talking into or listening on a handheld cellular telephone 
b. Does not include holding a cellular telephone with which a user 
engages in a call using at least one hand. 
20)Explosive - a substance used to produce an explosive effect. Explosives 
are either solid or liquid, either mixtures or single compounds, and act by 
explosive chemical reaction, liberating at high speed heat and gas, which 
causes tremendous pressure, such as mixtures of combustible but non-
explosive material with oxidizing agent, not limited to organic nitrates, 
nitro substitution products or mixtures, and fulminating powders; 
21)Expressway - a length of road generally with limited access for vehicles 
or pedestrians to obtain continuous flow through traffic designated as 
such by means of appropriate signs. The term may also include a 
freeway, skyway and tollway; 
22)Footway - every footpath, lane or other place intended for the use of 
pedestrians and not by vehicles, except where bicycle lanes are 
permitted; 
23)Garage - any building in which two or more motor vehicles, either with or 
without drivers, are kept ready for hire to the public, but shall not include 
street stands, public service stations, or other public places designated by 
proper authority as parking spaces for motor vehicles for hire while 
awaiting or soliciting business. 
Gross Weight -
the measured weight of a motor vehicle plus the 
maximum allowable carrying capacity in merchandise, freight and/or 
passenger, as determined by the Secretary of L TO. 
24)Handheld Cellular Telephone - a cellular telephone with which a user 
engages in a call using at least one hand; 
25)Hands-free device -
an attachment, add-on or addition to a cellular 
telephone, whether or not permanently installed in a motor vehicle, that 
when used allows the motor vehicle operator to maintain both hands on 
the steering wheel; 
26)High beam - a beam of light projected from vehicle headlights such that 
the main bright portion of the beams thereof rises above a horizontal 
place passing through the lamp centers parallel to the road level upon 
which the vehicle stands; 
27)Highways -
every public thoroughfare, public boulevard, driveway, 
avenue, park, alley and callejon, but shall not include roadway upon 
grounds owned by private persons, colleges, universities, or other similar 
institutions; 
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28)/mmediate proximity - the distance that permits the user of a cellular 
phone to hear telecommunications transmitted over the cellular telephone 
but that does not require physical contact with the user's ear; 
29)ln the vicinity of schools - with respect to primary and secondary schools 
as defined below, the area within bicycling and walking distance of the 
primary and secondary schools, or approximately three (3) kilometres; 
30)lntersection - a place where two (2) or more roads intersect or join, and 
shall include the area where vehicles such as motorcycle or scooter in a 
road or highway; 
31)Lane Splitting - using or sharing a lane already occupied by one vehicle 
or another vehicle such as motorcycle or scooter in a road or highway; 
32)Laned Thoroughfare - a thoroughfare divided into two (2) or more marked 
lanes for vehicular traffic; 
33) Leave waiting -
to stop a vehicle or to permit a vehicle (whether 
unattended or not) to remain stationary with its motor running for the 
purpose other that that of avoiding conflict with pedestrians or other 
vehicles, or of complying with the directions of a member of the police 
force or traffic control sign or signal; 
34)Limited Access Facility -
a highway or street especially designed for 
through traffic, and over, from, or to which owners or occupants of 
abutting land or other persons have no right of easement or only a limited 
right or easement of access, light, air or view by reason of the fact that 
their property abuts upon such limited access facility of for any other 
reason; 
35)Low beam - a beam of light projected from vehicle headlights such that 
none of the main bright portion of the beams thereof rises above a 
horizontal plane passing through the lamp centers parallel to the road 
level upon which the vehicle stands, and in no case higher than one meter 
(1 m) at a distance of twenty-five meters (25m) ahead of the vehicle; 
36)Marked Crosswalk - a portion of a thoroughfare between two (2) parallel 
lines marked across or partly across the thoroughfare include the portion 
of the thoroughfare between the prolongation of the lines; 
37)Motorcycle - a motor vehicle which has two (2) or three (3) wheels with or 
without a side car; 
38) Motorcycle passenger- the back rider of a motorcycle or scooter; 
39) Motorist - the driver of a motor vehicle 
40) Motor vehicle - any power-driven vehicle normally used for the carriage of 
persons or goods. This term embraces trolley-buses, or vehicles 
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connected to an electric conductor and not rail-borne. It does not cover 
vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, which are only incidentally used for 
carrying persons or goods by road or drawing on the road, vehicles used 
for the carriage of persons or goods. 
41)Motor vehicle of running engine - a vehicle as stated herein, operating 
and standing on any road or thoroughfare with engine running; 
42)No parking area -
a portion of a thoroughfare between two (2) "No 
Waiting" signs with arrows pointing generally towards each other, or other 
appropriate signs; 
43)No Waiting area - a portion of a thoroughfare 
44)One-way thoroughfare - a thoroughfare on which vehicles are permitted 
to travel in one (1) direction only, as indicated by appropriate signs or 
signal; 
45) Overtake - to pass or attempt to overtake or pass; 
46)Owner- the actual legal owner of a motor vehicle, in whose name such 
vehicle is duly registered with the L TO; 
The owner of a government-owned motor vehicle is the head of the office 
or the chief of the Bureau to which the said motor vehicle belongs. 
47)Parking or parked - to permit a vehicle to remain stationary (whether 
unattended or not); 
48)Parking area - a portion of thoroughfare where parking is permitted as 
indicated by appropriate parking signs; 
49)Passenger automobiles - all pneumatic-tire vehicles of types similar to 
those usually known under the following terms: touring car, command-car, 
speedster, sports car, roadster, jeep cycle, car (except motor wheel and 
similar small outfits which are classified with motorcycles), coupe, 
landau let, closed car, limousine, cabriolet, and sedan. 
Motor vehicles with changed or rebuilt bodies, such as jeepneys, jitneys 
or station wagons, using chassis of the usual pneumatic-tire passenger 
automobile type, shall also be classified as passenger automobile type, 
shall also be classified as passenger automobile, if their net allowable 
carrying capacity, as determined by the Secretary of the L TO, does not 
exceed nine passengers and if they are not used primarily for carrying 
freight or merchandise; 
50)Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety -
any plan or method of action that 
premises the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians; 
51)Pedestrian Crossing or lane - a portion of a thoroughfare indicated by 
alternate black and white stripes, each of which is between two and a half 
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meters (2.5m) and four (4m) long, is approximately six hundred 
millimetres (600mm) distant from the next stripe of the same color, and is 
parallel to or angled at not more than thirty degrees (30°) to the center of 
the thoroughfare or two (2) parallel white lines with signal control devices. 
Provided, that, in case there is a sidewalk along a thoroughfare in an 
intersection, that portion thereof crossing the thoroughfare in an 
intersection shall be considered as an extension of the sidewalk even if it 
is not so indicated by painted black and white stripes. 
52)Primary Schools - schools providing pre-school education through the 
sixth or seventh grade; 
53)Private motor vehicle - refer to any of the following: 
a. Any motor vehicle owned by individuals and juridical persons for 
private use; 
b. Any motor vehicle owned by the National Govemment or any of its 
agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, including 
government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries 
for official use; and 
c. Any diplomatic vehicle. 
54)Property Line - a lateral boundary of a road; 
55)Professional Driver - every and any driver hired or paid for driving or 
operating a motor vehicle, whether for private use or for hire to the public; 
Any person driving his own motor vehicle for hire is a professional driver. 
56)Public Motor Vehicle - public utility vehicle or vehicle for hire; 
57)PUV lane - a length of thoroughfare designated for the exclusive use of 
public utility vehicles so indicated by appropriate signs; 
58)Reservation - any physical provision on a road to divide it longitudinally 
other than lines marked on a thoroughfare and shall include a stripe 
adjoining a footway; 
59) Road - any highway, or any road, street or bicycle path or lane open to or 
used by the public and shall include every thoroughfare, footway, 
reservation and traffic island on any highway or on any such road, street 
and bicycle path or lane; 
60)Roundabout or rotunda - intersection laid out for movement of traffic in 
one (1) direction around a central island; 
61 ) Saddle Bag - the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-approved built-
in carrier of luggage in a motorcycle; 
62)Secondary schools - schools providing education from the first through 
the fourth year high school; 
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63)School Bus -
a bus that is used for purposes that include carrying 
students to and from public or private school or school-related events on a 
regular basis, but does not include a transit bus or a school chartered bus; 
64)School Chartered Bus - a bus that is operated under a short term contract 
with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive used of the bus at 
a fixed charge in order to provide transportation for a group of pupils to a 
special school-related event; 
65)Seat Belts -- the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that fasten a rider 
to moving vehicle and prevent him from being thrown out or against the 
interior of the vehicle during sudden stops; 
66)Separation Line - a line marked on the pavement of a thoroughfare to 
separate traffic travelling in opposite directions; 
67) Speed Zone - a length of thoroughfare defined by means of a speed limit 
sign at the beginning and a speed limit sign or dead end sign at the end; 
68)Standardized/Standard Helmet - the protective helmet approved by the 
DTI; 
69)Stop line - a white line marked across a partly across a thoroughfare near 
a traffic-control signal, stop sign, pedestrian crossing or intersection; 
70) Temporary Operator's Permit -
the citation ticket issued by L TO 
deputized agents to those who violate the latler's rules and regulations; 
71) Terminating road - in relation to an intersection shall mean a road which 
by virtue of its traffic function, statutory deSignation andlor physical form, 
ends at the intersection; 
72) Text Message Sending - the use of short-message sending feature of 
mobile-phones; 
73) Thoroughfare - that portion of the road improved, designed or used for 
vehicular travel exclusive of the shoulder. In the event a road includes two 
(2) or more separate thoroughfare separately but not to all such 
thoroughfares collectively; 
74) Tourist - a foreigner who travels from place to place for pleasure or 
culture; 
75) Traffic-control item - any traffic control signal, light, sign, mark, structure, 
or device placed, installed or displayed for the purpose of regulating, 
warning or guiding traffic; 
76) Traffic-control signal - any device using a word or words, a symbol or 
symbols, a colored light or lights or any combination thereof operated 
mechanically, electrically, annually or otherwise by means of which traffic 
may be controlled or regulated 
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77) Traffic Island -
any physical structure (other than lines marked on a 
thoroughfare) made at or near an intersection to guide vehicles; 
78) Trailer - to include a caravan, but shall not include the rear portion of an 
articulated vehicle; 
79) Train - any railway locomotive or railway rolling stock; 
80) Two-way thoroughfare - any thoroughfare where traffic is permitted in 
opposite directions; 
81) Tricycle - a three-wheeled vehicle propelled by human power excluding 
pushcarts and animal-drawn vehicles; 
82) Using - will mean: 
a. Holding a cellular telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, 
the user's ear 
b. Using any function of the cellular phone; 
83)U-tum - a turn which causes vehicle facing or travelling in the opposite, or 
substantially the opposite direction; 
84) Vehicle - any conveyance or other device propelled or drawn by any 
means and shall include a vehicle and a bicycle and, where the context 
permits, shall include those which are animal-driven or ridden, but shall 
not include a train. 
Section 6. Definitions of Signs and Symbols. In this Act, unless inconsistent with 
the context or subject matter, the signs and symbols shown in the following 
schedule shall be referred to in this Act by the names shown next to the sign or 
symbol. 
ARTICLE III 
SIGNS AND SIGNALS 
Section 7. Installation and Interference with Traffic-Control Items 
1. No person shall, except when duly authorized, install, establish or display 
on any road or in the view of any person on any road, or interfere with, 
alter or take down, any traffic-control sign or item; 
2. No person shall install, establish, place, maintain or display on any road 
or in the view of any person on any road anything designed in imitation of 
on similar to any traffic-control sign or item, or which interferes with the 
effectiveness of or prevents an approaching driver from clearly 
distinguishing the whole or part of any traffic-control item, or which 
distracts his attention from any traffic-control sign or item. 
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Section 8. Limits on the Operation of Signs 
1. Where any traffic-control sign or item of a kind referred to in this Article is 
installed on a road, it shall be effective and operative as a traffic-control 
item duly established for the purposes of this Act; 
2. Any traffic-control sign or item which substantially conforms to the 
requirements of these sections with respect to dimensions, shape, color, 
position, direction, angle or any features of traffic-control signs or items of 
any kind shall be deemed to be a traffic-control sign or item of the kind. 
Section 9. Display of Dazzling Lights, etc. No person shall establish, place or 
maintain any light of such kind or so placed as to prevent a driver from clearly 
distinguishing the road ahead of him nor shall any person maintain or use any 
light which the proper authority has declared by notice in writing to that person to 
be clear danger to traffic. 
Section 10. Obedience to Traffic Control Signals. 
1. Every persoll shall at all times observe and comply with the instructions of 
any traffic-control signal applicable to him; 
2. The display of a traffic-control signal of: 
a. Green Signals 
i. A green circle is an instruction that a driver faCing the traffic-
control signal may, subject to the provision of this Article, 
proceed straight ahead or tum right. A left turn may be 
executed, though a traffic-control signal is displaying a red 
circle with respect to the thoroughfare the driver is about to 
enter, only upon the display of a green left turn arrow; 
ii. A green signal and a walking man symbol or a green circle 
(not accompanied by a red square with a standing man 
symbol) is an instruction that a pedestrian facing the traffic-
control signal may proceed across the thoroughfare. 
b. An amber circle alone is an instruction that: 
i. A driver faCing the traffic-control signal shall not proceed 
beyond the stop line associated with the traffic-control signal 
when the amber color first appears, that he cannot safely 
stop his vehicle before passing the stop line or traffic-control 
signal; 
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ii. A pedestrian facing the traffic-control signal shall not 
obstruct vehicles entering or approaching the intersection. 
c. A red circle alone or red and amber (or yel/ow) circles together is 
an instruction that: 
i. A driver facing the traffic-control signal shall not proceed 
straight ahead or turn left beyond the stop line associated 
with the traffic-control signal or in the absence of a stop line 
the traffic-control signal itself; 
ii. A pedestrian facing the traffic control signal shall not 
obstruct vehicles entering or approaching the intersection. 
d. Steady or flashing red square with a standing man signal is an 
instruction that a pedestrian facing the traffic-control signal may not 
proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow; 
e. An amber (or yel/ow) arrow alone or in conjunction with any other 
signal display except a red arrow pointing in the same direction as 
the amber arrow is an instruction that a driver facing the traffic-
control signal shall not for the purpose of proceeding in the 
direction. indicated by the amber arrow proceed beyond the stop 
line, shall not enter the intersection at or near which the traffic-
control signal is installed, unless his vehicle is close to the stop 
line, shall not enter the intersection at or near which the traffic-
control signal is installed, unless his vehicle is close to the stop line 
or the intersection when the amber arrow first appears that he 
cannot safely stop his vehicle before passing the stop line or 
entering the intersection; 
f. A red arrow alone or in conjunction with an amber (or yel/ow)arrow 
pointing in the same direction as the red arrow is an instruction that 
a driver facing the traffic-control signal shall not, for the purpose of 
proceeding in the direction indicated by the red arrow, proceed 
beyond the stop line associated with the traffic-control signal; 
g. Flashing amber (or yel/ow) at an intersection is an instruction that a 
driver facing the traffic-control signal shall approach and cross the 
intersection with caution; 
h. Flashing red at an intersection is an instruction that a driver facing 
the traffic-control signal shall first execute a full stop, then cross the 
intersection with caution. 
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Section 11. Obedience to Signs. All signs as defined in this Act shall be obeyed 
by motorists at all times for purposes of this Chapter. The following are 
descriptions of those signs: 
1. A driver shall not cause his vehicle to turn at any intersection contrary to 
the instruction of any "No Turn," "No Left Turn" or "No U-Turn" sign 
installed to face an approaching driver at or near the intersection; 
2. Where a "One Way" sign is installed to face a driver entering a 
thoroughfare, the driver shall drive along that thoroughfare only in the 
direction indicated by the arrow on the sign; 
3. Where a'''No Entry" sign is installed over or adjacent to a thoroughfare, 
the driver shall not proceed on that thoroughfare beyond the sign; 
4. A driver entering an intersection from a marked line which has over it a 
sign or a signal displaying an arrow or arrows facing the driver as marked 
on the surface of the lane shall proceed only in the direction indicated by 
such words, arrow or arrows; 
5. Where "No overtaking or Passing" sign is installed to face an approaching 
driver, the driver shall not overtake or pass a vehicle travelling in the 
same direction; 
6. Passing a bridge 
7. 
a. Where a "No Overtaking or Passing" sign is installed to face an 
approaching driver, the driver shall not overtake a vehicle on the 
bridge; 
b. A driver shall not drive a vehicle through a bridge when the weight 
of the vehicle and its load including any trailer attached to it 
exceeds the weight indicated on a bridge load limit sign facing the 
driver; 
a. Where a "Keep Right" sign is installed to face an approaching 
driver, the driver shall pass to the right of the sign; 
b. Where a "Keep Left" sign is installed to face an approaching driver, 
the driver shall pass to the left of the sign. 
c. Where a "Stop" sign is installed to face a driver who is approaching 
or has entered an intersection the driver shall: 
i. Stop his vehicle before reaching and as near as practicable 
to stop line associated with the sign or in the absence of a 
stop line at the point nearest the first intersecting 
thoroughfare where he has a clear view of traffic 
approaching the intersection; and 
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ii. On reaching and after passing such sign, give way to any 
vehicle which is entering or is within or is leaving the 
intersection except where that vehicle: 
1. is facing or has passed a "Give Way" sign or a "Stop" 
sign installed at the intersection; and 
2. is about to turn or is turning at the intersection. 
d. Where a "Give Way" sign is installed to face a driver who is 
approaching or has entered an intersection, the driver shall, on 
reaching or is within or is leaving the intersection road except 
where that vehicle: 
i. Is facing or has passed a "Give Way" sign or a "Stop" sign 
installed at the intersection; and 
ii. Is about to turn or is turning at the intersection. 
e. Where a "Give Way" sign is installed to face a driver approaching a 
bridge, the driver shall not pass the sign while any driver travelling 
in the opposite direction is between the sign and the far end of the 
bridge. 
f. 
Where a "No Turn" sign is installed adjacent to a thoroughfare to 
face an approaching driver, the driver shall not make a U Turn 
while he is between the sign and the far side of the first intersection 
beyond the sign, nor, shall a driver who enters the thoroughfare 
between the sign and the intersection and travels towards the 
intersection make a U Turn before he has passed the intersection. 
ARTICLE V 
DRIVING ON RIGHT, OVERTAKING AND RIGHT OF WAY 
Section 12. Keeping as Far Right as Practicable. Unless otherwise provided for 
in this Act, a driver shall keep his vehicle as close as practicable to the right 
boundary of the thoroughfare except where there are two (2) or more lanes 
marked on the thoroughfare available exclusively for traffic in the direction in 
which he is travelling. 
Section 13. Overtaking 
1. When overtaking a moving vehicle, a driver shall pass to the left of that 
vehicle and shall not drive in front of it until his vehicle is safely clear of 
the vehicle being overtaken. Provided, that, where a thoroughfare has two 
(2) or more marked lanes, a vehicle travelling in one (1) of those lanes 
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may overtake and pass to the right of the vehicle travelling in anothEjr of 
those lanes, if traffic conditions permit him to do so with safety. 
2. a driver overtaking a vehicle which is making or apparently about to make 
a left turn, shall pass to the right of it. 
a. When overtaking a vehicle on a two-way thoroughfare: 
i. If the thoroughfare is not divided into three (3) lanes, a 
driver, shall not drive to the left of the center of the 
thoroughfare, unless the left side of the thoroughfare is free 
of oncoming traffic far enough ahead to permit the 
overtaking movement to be completed in safety. 
ii. Subject to the succeeding section, if the thoroughfare is 
divided into three (3) lanes, a driver shall not drive in the 
center lane unless that lane is free of oncoming traffic far 
enough ahead to permit the overtaking movement to be 
completed in safety. 
b. In all instances of overtaking, the driver of the overtaking vehicle 
shall signal his intention by using signal lights, horn, or siren, as the 
case may be and after considering his overtaking capability and 
establishing a safe distance with respect to the vehicle or vehicles 
being overtaken. 
Section 14. Restrictions on Overtaking and Passing. 
1. The driver of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the center line of a 
highway in overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same 
direction, unless such left side is clearly visible, and is free of oncoming 
traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking or passing 
to be made in safety. 
2. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass another vehicle 
proceeding in the same direction, when approaching the crest of a grade, 
not upon a curve in the highway, where the driver's view along the 
highway is obstructed within a distance of five hundred feet ahead, 
except on a highway having two or more lanes for movement of traffic in 
one direction where the driver of a vehicle may overtake or pass another 
vehicle: Provided, that on a highway within a business or residential 
district, having two or more lanes for movement of traffic in one direction, 
the driver of a vehicle may overtake or pass another vehicle on the right. 
3. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass any other vehicle 
proceeding in the same direction, at any railway grade crossing, not at 
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any intersection of highways unless such intersection or crossing is 
controlled by traffic signal, or unless permitted to do so by a watchman or 
a peace officer, except on a highway having two or more lanes for 
movement of traffic in one direction where the driver of a vehicle may 
overtake or pass another vehicle on the right. Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to prohibit a driver overtaking or passing upon the right 
another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn. 
4. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass, or attempt to pass, any 
other vehicle, proceeding in the same direction, between any points 
indicated by the placing of official temporary warning or caution signs 
indicating that men are working on the highway. 
5. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass, or attempt to overtake 
or pass, any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction in any "no-
passing or overtaking zone." 
Section 15. Use of Center and Left Lanes of a Three-lane Thoroughfare. On a 
two-way thoroughfare divided into three (3) lanes, a driver shall not drive his 
vehicle in: 
1. The center lane, except: 
a. To overtake another vehicle in accordance with the rules on 
overtaking: 
b. In preparation for a left turn; or 
c. When the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to 
vehicles travelling in the same direction in which he is travelling; 
d. Where there is double longitudinal line comprising of two (2) 
continuous lines or one (1) continuous line and one (1) broken or 
dotted line, marked on the left-hand side of the center lane, except 
in preparation for a left-turn; or 
e. The extreme left-hand lane, except in preparation for a left-turn. 
Section 16. Passing Vehicles. A driver passing a vehicle travelling in the 
opposite direction shall keep to his right of that vehicle. 
Section 17. Giving Way to Overtaking Vehicles. Except where overtaking on the 
right is permitted, the driver of a vehicle being overtaken shall move to the right 
in favour of the overtaking vehicle, upon the driver of the overtaking vehicle 
sounding and/or signalling a warning instrument, and shall not increase the 
15 


• 
speed of his vehicle until it has been completely passed by the overtaking 
vehicle. 
Section 18. Drivers Not to Obstruct Traffic. A person shall not without proper 
cause drive a vehicle abnormally slow or operate it in a manner as to obstruct, 
hinder or prevent the free passage of any person or vehicle; and in all cases, a 
person driving a vehicle shall not use, occupy, or in any manner, jockey for 
position on another lane intended for other vehicles making either a left or a right 
turn, even for the purpose of overtaking when to do so shall impede, block or 
affect, in any way, vehicles making such left or right turns. 
Section 19. Driving in Lanes on Thoroughfare. 
1. A driver shall drive his vehicle, as far as practicable entirely within a single 
marked lane or a single line of traffic, and shall not move laterally from 
such lane or line of traffic until he can do so safely; 
2. A driver travelling a marked lane, any boundary of which is a single 
unbroken line (not being a separation line or pavement edge line), shall 
not permit any part of his vehicle to cross that line. 
Section 20. Right-of-Way Rules: 
1. A vehicle traversing the main road has the right-of-way; 
2. All vehicles in the secondary road must yield to all vehicles cruising in the 
main road by making a full stop before entering the main road. 
3. When the main road is clear of vehicle, a vehicle traversing the secondary 
road may enter the main road after considering that it is safe to do so. 
4. When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the 
same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way 
to the vehicle on the right, except as otherwise hereinafter provided. The 
driver of any vehicle travelling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit any right 
of way which he might otherwise have hereunder. 
5. The driver of a vehicle approaching but not having entered an 
intersection, shall yield the right of way to a vehicle within such 
intersection or turning therein to the left across the line of travel of such 
first-mentioned vehicle, provided the driver of the vehicle turning left has 
given a plainly visible signal of intention to turn as required in this Act. 
6. The driver of any vehicle upon a highway within a business or residential 
district shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing such highway 
within a crosswalk, except at intersections where the movement of traffic 
16 


• 
is being regulated by a peace officer or by traffic signal. Every pedestrian 
crossing a highway within a business or residential district, at any point 
other than a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to vehicles upon the 
highway. 
7. The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall bring to a full stop such 
vehicle before traversing any "through highway" or railroad crossing; 
Provided, that when it is apparent that no hazard exists, the vehicle may 
be slowed down to five miles per hour instead of bringing it to a full stop. 
Section 21. Exception to the right of way rule. 
1. The driver of a vehicle entering a highway from a private road or drive 
shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on such highway. 
2. The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall yield the right of way to 
police or fire department vehicles and ambulances when such vehicles 
are operated on official business and the drivers thereof sound audible 
signal of their approach. 
3. The driver of a vehicle entering a "through highway" or a "stop 
intersection" shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching to 
either direction on such "through highway" from the duty of driving with 
due regard for the safety of vehicles entering such "through highway" nor 
as protecting the said driver from the consequence of an arbitrary 
exercise off such right of way. 
Section 22. Signals on starting, stopping or turning. 
1. The driver of any vehicle upon a highway, before starting, stopping or 
turning from a direct line, shall first see that such movement can be made 
in safety, and if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement, shall 
give a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn, and whenever the 
operation of any other vehicle approaching or following may be affected 
by such movement, shall give a signal plainly visible to the driver of sucll 
other vehicles of the intention to make such movement. 
2. The signal herein required shall be given by means of extending the hand 
and arm beyond the left side of the vehicle, or by an approved mechanical 
or electrical signal device. 
Section 23. Driving Through Roundabouts or Rotondas. A driver passing 
through a traffic roundabout or rotunda shall drive to the right of the traffic control 
island. 
17 


, 
Section 24. Keeping Right of Double Yellow Lines. A driver on a marked 
thoroughfare shall not permit any portion of his vehicle to travel on or over to the 
left of longitudinal lines comprising of: 
1. Two (2) yellow continuous lines; or 
2. A yellow continuous line on the right of white broken dotted line. 
Section 25. Restriction as to speed 
1. Any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a 
careful and prudent speed, not greater nor less than is reasonable and 
proper, having due regard for the traffic, the width of the highway, and of 
any other condition then and there existing; and no person shall drive any 
motor vehicle upon a highway at such a speed as to endanger the life, 
limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit 
him to bring the vehicle to s stop within the assured clear distance ahead. 
2. subject to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the rate of speed of 
any motor vehicle shall not exceed the following: 
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE 
Passengers 
Motor Trucks and buses 
SPEEDS 
Cars and Motorcycles 
1. 
On 
open 
country 
80 km. per hour 
50 km. per hour 
roads, with no "blinds 
corners," 
not 
closely 
bordered by habitations. 
2. On "through streets" 
40 km. per hour 
30 km. per hour 
or boulevards, clear of 
traffic, 
with 
no 
"blind 
corners," 
when 
so 
designated. 
3. On city and municipal 
30 km. per hour 
30 km. per hour 
streets, with light traffic, 
when 
not 
deSignated 
"through streets." 
4. 
Through 
crowded 
20 km. per hour 
20 km. per hour 
streets, 
approaching 
intersections 
at 
"blind 
corners," passing other 
vehicles 
which 
are 
stationery, or for similar 
dangerous 
circumstances. 
3. The rates of speed hereinabove prescribed shall not apply to the 
following: 
a. A physician or his driver when the former responds to emergency 
calls; 
18 


b. The driver of a hospital ambulance on the way to and from the 
place of accident or other emergency; 
c. Any driver bringing a wounded or sick person for emergency 
treatment to a hospital, clinic, or any other similar place; 
d. The driver of a motor vehicle belonging to the Armed Forces while 
in use for official purposes in times of riot, insurrection or invasion; 
e. The driver of a vehicle, when he or his passengers are in pursuit of 
a criminal; 
f. A law-enforcement officer who is trying to overtake a violator of 
traffic laws; and 
g. The driver officially operating a motor vehicle of any fire 
department, provided that exemption shall not be construed to 
allow unless or unnecessary fast driving of drivers aforementioned. 
Section 26. Speed limits uniform throughout the Philippines. No provincial, city 
or municipal authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution 
specifying maximum allowable speeds other than those provided in this Act. 
Section 27. Driving on right side of highway. Unless a different course of action 
is required in the interest of the safety and the security of life, person or property, 
or because of unreasonable difficulty of operation in compliance herewith, every 
person operating a motor vehicle or an animal-drawn vehicle on a highway shall 
pass to the right when meeting persons or vehicles coming toward him, and to 
the left when overtaking persons or vehicles going the same direction, and when 
turning to the left in going from one highway to another, every vehicle shall be 
conducted to the right of the center of the intersection of the highway. 
Section 28. Following Too Closely. 
1. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely 
than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such 
vehicle and traffic condition; 
2. Except when overtaking or passing, the driver of a long vehicle when 
following another long vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, keep his 
vehicle not less than seventy meters (70 m) behind another vehicle so 
that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without 
danger; 
19 


3. This provision shall not apply to a long vehicle in a built-up area to a long 
vehicle on a thoroughfare provided with two (2) or more marked lanes 
exclusively for vehicles travelling in the same direction as the long vehicle; 
4. For purposes of this section, "long vehicle" means a vehicle more than 
eight meters (8 m.) in length inclusive of any projection and of its load, or 
a vehicle towing another vehicle. 
Section 29. Driving on Divided Road. Where a road is divided into a 
thoroughfare by a reservation or reservations, a driver shall not drive on a 
thoroughfare which is on the left-hand side of the road unless a "two-way" sign is 
installed to face drivers entering that thoroughfare. 
Section 30.Approaching a Crest or Curve. A driver on a two-way thoroughfare 
shall not permit any portion of his vehicle on or over, or the left of the center of 
the thoroughfare when: 
1. Approaching a top of a slope; 
2. Approaching or upon curve - unless he can see ahead at a distance 
sufficient to enable him to do so with safety or without interfering with the 
progress of any oncoming vehicle. 
Section 31. Bus and PUJ lanes. 
1. Bus and PUJ lanes shall be for the exclusive use of bus and public utility 
jeepneys, except when another vehicle is turning right; 
2. All bus and PUJ lanes shall be designated at the lane nearest to the right 
boundary of the thoroughfare and marked by one (1) solid continuous 
yellow line on the road pavement, supplemented by signs on sidewalks 
along the lanes at suitable locations after an intersection or junctions and 
at mid-block; 
3. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle on a bus and PUJ lane, unless 
his vehicle is: 
a. An emergency vehicle; 
b. A bus; 
c. A public utility jeepney; or 
d. A vehicle intending to enter an adjoining property before the next 
intersection or junction 
4. No vehicle, other than bus or PUJ, is permitted to load/unload either 
passenger or goods on a bus and PUJ lane and at deSignated bus and 
20 


PUJ stops. However. emergency vehicles. taxis and car pool vehicles are 
exempted from this restriction; 
5. No vehicle is permitted to part on bus and PUJ lanes. except emergency 
vehicles on duty. 
ARTICLE VI 
GIVING WAY 
Section 32. Meaning of "Give Way." Where the provisions of this Act require a 
driver to give way to a vehicle or person. the driver shall in circumstances where 
if he proceeded. there would be reasonable possibility of his colliding with such 
vehicle or person or otherwise creating a dangerous situation. slow down to such 
extent or stop and remain stationary. for such time as necessary to allow that. 
vehicle or person to continue on its or his course without risk of collision. or as is 
necessary to avoid creating a dangerous situation. 
Section 33. Giving Way at Intersections. 
1. A driver approaching or passing through an intersection shall exercise 
special care and where appropriate. shall drive at a reduced speed. 
2. Except as provided in Section 28 of this Article and subsection 4 (a) and 
(b) of this section. the driver of a vehicle which is approaching an 
intersection from one (1) thoroughfare. shall give way to the other vehicle 
which has entered the intersection first. except that if the two (2) vehicles 
have entered at the same time. the driver shall give way to the other 
vehicle coming from his right. 
3. A driver entering an intersection from a terminating road shall give way to 
a vehicle entering or turning from the intersecting road. 
4. 
a. Where traffic control Signals are installed. at or near an 
intersection. Subsection (2) shall not apply to a driver proceeding 
in accordance with the instruction of any sllch signals. 
b. Subsection (2) shall not apply to the driver of a vehicle having 
another vehicle on his right at an intersecting thoroughfare where 
that other vehicle is facing. or has passed a "Give Way" or "Stop" 
sign. 
Section 34. Giving Way During Turns 
21 


1. A driver who intends to turn, is turning, or has turned to the left at an 
intersection, shall give way to any vehicle which has entered or is 
approaching the intersection from the opposite direction. 
2. A driver turning to the right or left of an intersection shall give way to all 
pedestrians. 
3. A driver making a U turn, where allowed or where not prohibited, shall 
give way to all other vehicles and to all pedestrians. 
4. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of Section 28 
shall apply to turning vehicles. 
Section 35. Movements to or From Parking 
1. A driver about to drive, or is driving a vehicle into or out from a parking 
area or the boundary of the thoroughfare where parking is allowed, shall 
give way to all other vehicles. 
2. A driver shall not drive a vehicle in reverse out of a parking area unless 
traffic conditions permit him to do so. 
Section 36. Action on Approach of Emergency Vehicles. A driver shall give way 
and make every reasonable effort to give clear and uninterrupted passage to 
every emergency vehicle sounding a siren, bell or repeater horn, or using other 
signals to indicate an emergency. 
Section 37. Entering or Leaving 8 Road 
1. A driver entering a road from land abutting on the road shall: 
a. Except when proceeding pursuant to an instruction of a traffic-
control signal, a traffic aide or other duly authorized traffic enforcer, 
give way to all vehicles travelling in either direction along the road; 
b. Give way to all pedestrians on the road. 
Section 38. No Entry to Choked Intersections. A driver shall not enter or attempt 
to cross an intersection or thoroughfare if it is blocked by vehicles. 
Section 39. Roundabouts or Rotondas. The driver of a vehicle entering a 
roundabout or rotunda shall give way to any vehicle which is within the 
roundabout or rotunda. 
ARTICLE VII 
TURNING AND PARKING 
22 


Section 40. Turning at intersections. 
1. The drive of a vehicle intending to run to the right at an intersection shall 
approach such intersection in the lane for traffic nearest to the right-hand 
side of the highway and, in turning, shall keep as close as possible to the 
right-hand curb or edge of the highway. 
2. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left shall approach such 
intersection in the lane for traffic to the right of and nearest to the center 
line of the highway, and, in turning, shall pass to the left of the center of 
the intersection, except that, upon highways laned for traffic and upon 
one-way highways, a left turn shall be made from the left lane of traffic in 
the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding. 
3. For the purpose of this section, the center of the intersection shall mean 
the meeting point of the medial lines of the highways intersecting one 
another, except when it is occupied by a monument, grass plot or any 
permanent structure, other than traffic control device. 
Section 41. Right Turns. 
1. A driver who is about to make a right turn shall so drive his vehicle that 
when it reaches the intersection, it shall already be on the right most lane 
travelling at the same direction; 
2. A driver can turn right with caution: Provided, that this Subsection (2) shall 
not apply to a driver whose vehicle is on a marked lane immediately to the 
left of a marked lane allocated exclUSively to right-turning vehicles. 
Section 42. Left Turns 
1. A driver who is about to make a left turn at an intersection: 
a. Where he is travelling on a two-way thoroughfare, approach and 
enter the intersection so that his vehicle is to the right of, parallel 
to, and as near as practicable to the center of the thoroughfare; or 
b. Where he is travelling on a one-way thoroughfare, approach and 
enter the intersection so that his vehicle is parallel to and as near 
as practicable to the left boundary of the thoroughfare. 
However, this Section shall not apply if his vehicle is in a marked lane 
which has a sign alongside or over it or markings on its surface indicating 
that a left turn must os may be made. 
23 


2. A driver making a left turn at an intersection shall make the left turn so 
that: 
a. If the thoroughfare being entered is a two-way thoroughfare, his 
vehicle enters it to the right of the center of the thoroughfare; or 
b. If the thoroughfare being entered is a one-way thoroughfare, his 
vehicle enters it as near as practicable to the left boundary of the 
thoroughfare. 
For purposes of this Section, a vehicle crosses the prolongation of the 
property line of the road it is leaving. 
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a bicyclist who is 
about to tum left shall make the left turn so that: 
a. He approaches such intersection parallel to and as near as 
practicable to the right boundary of the thoroughfare or bicycle lane 
he is leaving; 
b. He enters the intersection and proceeds in a straight line until his 
bicycle is as near as practicable to the right boundary of the 
thoroughfare he is about to enter; and 
c. He turns his bicycle to the left, and after giving way to vehicles on 
his left and right, leaves the intersection in accordance with the 
provisions of this Section, but when any traffic-control signal is 
operating at the intersection, a bicyclist shall wait before turning 
and shall not proceed to leave the intersection until the traffic-
control signal is displaying a green light indicating the appropriate 
direction of his intended movement. 
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a driver or a 
bicyclist who is about to make or is making a left turn at an intersection 
where markers, marks or signs so placed as to indicate that a different 
course from that specified in this Section shall be. travelled, shall not turn 
his vehicle at the intersections otherwise than as indicated by the 
markers, marks or signs. 
Section 43. Tum and Stop Signals 
1. A driver shall not turn right or left or diverge right or stop or suddenly 
decrease speed or make a U-turn without giving signal as prescribed in 
this Section. 
2. A driver who is about to turn right or left, diverge right or left OF stop or 
suddenly decrease speed or make a U-Turn, shall signal his intention for 
24 


such time is ~ecessary to give reasonable warning to drivers approaching 
from behind. 
3. For purposes of and without limiting the generality of Subsection (2) of 
this Section, a signal shall be deemed to give reasonable warning if given 
continuously: 
a. For turning, while a vehicle is travelling thirty meters (30m) 
immediately before it commences to turn; 
b. For diverging, while a vehicle is travelling thirty meters (30m) 
immediately before it commences to diverge right or left; or 
c. For stopping or slowing down, while the brakes are applied and 
brake lights blink before it stops or while slowing down. 
4. Any signal required by this Section shall be given: 
a. In the case of a signal of intention, by means of stop lamp; or 
b. In the case of a signal of intention to turn right or left, diverge right 
or left, to make a U-Turn, by means of a flashing lamp signalling 
device. 
Such signalling device or stop lamp shall comply with the 
specifications prescribed by the Land Transportation Office. 
Section 44. Use of Signalling Device. A driver shall not permit a signalling 
device of his vehicle to remain in operation after completing the turn or diverge 
for which the device was put into operation. 
Section 45. U-Turns. A driver shall not cause his vehicle to make a U-Turn: 
1. Where there is any likelihood of colliding with another vehicle or 
interfering with the free movement of traffic; or 
2. On any intersection at which a traffic control signal or signal prohibits a U-
Turn. 
ARTICLE VIII 
RAILWAYS LEVEL CROSSINGS 
Section 46. Stopping at Level Crossings 
1. A driver approaching a railway level crossing shall stop his vehicle so that 
the front of it is on the approach side of and safely clear of the nearest rail 
of the railway: 
25 


a. If he is directed or instructed to stop by railway employees and 
shall not proceed except in accordance with the railway employee's 
direction; 
b. 
i. If an approaching train is visible or omits an audible signal 
and there is danger of collision between his vehicle and the 
train, and shall not proceed until it is safe to do so; or 
ii. If a train is upon or partially upon the crossing and shall not 
proceed until it is safe to do so. 
c. If a stop sign facing the driver is installed at or near the level 
crossing, and shall proceed only if it is safe to do so; or 
d. If twin alternating red lights are flashing or a wig-wag signal is 
moving, or a warning bell is moving or is ringing at or near the level 
crossing, and shall not proceed until the lights or signal or bell have 
ceased to flash, move or ring unless otherwise directed or 
instructed by a railway employee; 
e. If his vehicle is carrying any explosive, radioactive, inflammable, 
corrosive or poisonous substances other than as fuel for its own 
use and shall not proceed unless it is safe to do so; 
f. 
If his vehicle is a tank vehicle used for the transportation of goods 
referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section and shall not proceed 
unless it is safe to do so. 
Paragraphs (e) and (f) of this Section shall not apply at a railway level 
crossing equipped with alternating red lights or wig-wag signal, or with 
gates, booms or other barriers for closing the crossing against road traffic. 
2. No person shall drive a vehicle through or around any gate, boom or 
barrier at a railway level crossing, or enter upon such a crossing while any 
gate, boom or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed to road traffic. 
3. A driver shall not enter upon or attempt to cross a railway level crossing, if 
the level crossing of the thoroughfare beyond is blocked by vehicle. 
ARTICLE IX 
STOPPING AND PARKING VEHICLES 
Section 47. Vehicles not to be in Certain Places 
1. No person shall: 
a. Leave a vehicle waiting in a no waiting area; 
b. Park a vehicle in a no parking area; 
26 


• 
c. Leave a vehicle waiting in a parking area except in a manner 
indicated by the inscription on the sign or signs associated with the 
parking area; or 
d. Leave a vehicle waiting in a parking area or leave a vehicle waiting 
in a no waiting area: 
However, a person may park a vehicle in a no parking area if suspended 
by reason of the inscription of the sign or signs associated with the area: 
1. During any time that the operation of the area is suspended by 
reason of the inscription of the sign or signs associated with the 
area; or 
2. If the inscription on the sign or signs associated with the area 
exempts that person or his vehicle from the restriction imposed 
within the area. 
Section 48. Methods of Parking. A person who parks or leaves a vehicle waiting 
on a thoroughfare shall park or leave the vehicle waiting: 
1. In the case of a road on which vehicles are permitted to travel in both 
directions, as near as practicable to the right boundary of the thoroughfare; 
2. In the case of a road on which vehicles are permitted to travel in one direction 
only, as near as practicable to either boundary of the road and parallel to the 
boundary of the thoroughfare; 
3. Not less than 1/5 meters (1.2m) from any other vehicle, except in a parking 
area where angle parking is required; 
4. So that not less than three meters (3m) of the width of the thoroughfare and 
the far boundary of the thoroughfare is available for the movement of other 
vehicles; 
5. In a manner that it does not cause any undue obstruction on the 
thoroughfare; 
6. Where parking bays are marked on the thoroughfare, entirely within the 
confines of a single bay. Provided that: 
a. Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section shall not apply to a person 
leaving a vehicle waiting in a parking area; and 
b. Paragraph (3) of this Section shall not apply to a person leaving a 
motorcycle waiting in a parking area set aside for motorcycles. 
Section 49. Method of Parking in Parking Areas 
27 


, 
1. No person shall park or leave a vehicle partly inside and partly outside a 
parking area; 
2. Where the sign or signs associated with a parking area are not inscribed 
with the "Angle Parking"; and 
a. Where the parking area is adjacent to the boundary of a 
thoroughfare, a person leaving a vehicle waiting in the parking area 
shall leave the vehicle waiting parallel to and as near as practicable 
to that boundary; or 
b. Where the parking area is at or near the center of the thoroughfare, 
a person leaving a vehicle waiting in the parking area shall leave the 
vehicle waiting approximately at right angle to the center of the 
thoroughfare unless the sign or signs associated with the parking 
area or marks on the thoroughfare indicate that vehicle is to stand 
parallel to the center, in which case he shall leave the vehicle in that 
position. 
3. Where the sign or signs associated with a parking area are inscribed with 
the words "Angle Parking," a person leaving a vehicle waiting in the 
parking area shall leave the vehicle waiting at an angle of approximately 
forty-five degrees (45°), in which case he shall leave the vehicle at the 
angle so indicated. 
4. Subsections (2) and (3) of this Section shall not apply to a person leaving 
a motorcycle waiting in a parking area. 
5. A person leaving a motorcycle waiting in a parking area adjacent to the 
boundary of a thoroughfare shall leave the motorcycle waiting so that at 
least one (1) wheel is as near as practicable to the boundary. 
Section 50. Prohibited Parking Places. No person shall park or leave a vehicle 
waiting so that any portion of the vehicle is: 
1. Between any other waiting vehicle and the center of the thoroughfare; 
2. Between a pedestrian zone and the nearest curve directly opposite the 
ends of a pedestrian zone, or within nine meters (9m) from the nearest 
curve; 
3. In front of a right-of-way passage or privet driveway, or so close thereto 
as to deny vehicles reasonable access to or egress from the right-of-way 
passage or private driveway; 
4. In front offootways constructed across a reservation; 
5. Alongside or opposite any excavation in or obstruction on the 
thoroughfare if the vehicle would obstruct traffic; 
28 


6. On or within nine meters (9m) of any portion of a thoroughfare bounded in 
one (1) of both sides by a traffic island; 
7. On any footway, marked crosswalk or pedestrian crossing; 
8. Upon a bridge or other elevated structure or within a tunnel or underpass 
except, subject to provisions of Section 46, a bridge or other elevated 
structure or underpass which provides a pass-through area at least as 
wide as the thoroughfare at the commencement of both approaches to the 
bridge, structure or underpass; 
9. between the boundaries of a thoroughfare and double yellow line 
consisting of a continuous yellow line and broken or dotted white line and 
the boundary of the thoroughfare nearer to the continuous line, unless 
temporarily, if there seems to be an emergency; 
10. Within an intersection 
11. Within four meters of fire hydrant 
12. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the curb or edge 
of the highway 
13.At any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking. 
Section 51. Parked vehicle. Whenever a motor vehicle is parked unattended on 
any highway, the driver thereof must turn off the ignition switch and stop the 
motor and notch effectively the hand brake. 
Section 52. Lights on Stationary Vehicles. 
1. Subject to the provisions of Section 59 and 60, no person shall leave a 
motor vehicle waiting on a road with a lamp of a power exceeding seven 
watts (7w) lighted and showing to the front, except while the vehicle is 
loading or unloading passengers or is compelled to remain stationary by 
exigencies of the traffic. 
2. No person shall leave a motor vehicle or a trailer waiting on or partly on 
any thoroughfare between sunset and sunrise unless that motor vehicle or 
trailer is equipped with: 
a. Two (2) lamps (one on each side) showing a clear while light to the 
front and clearly visible under normal atmospheric conditions at a 
distance of one hundred eighty meters (180m), or where the motor 
vehicle or trailer is waiting on or adjacent to the boundary of the 
thoroughfare, one such lamp shall be on the side of the center of 
the thoroughfare; and 
29 


b. Appropriate rear lamps, number plate lamps, front and rear 
clearance lamps and reflectors prescribed as mandatory by the 
Land Transportation Office, and the lamps so affixed are lighted. 
3. Subsection (2) of this Section shall not apply: 
a. Where the street lighting in the vicinity renders the motor vehicle or 
the trailer clearly visible at a distance of one hundred eighty meters 
(180m); or 
b. To any cycle not connected to a sidecar, forecar, or trailer left 
waiting parallel to and as near as practicable to the boundary of the 
thoroughfare. 
Section 53. Portable Warning Signs for Disabled Vehicles 
1. No person shall drive a vehicle on a road course or permit a vehicle to be 
so driven, unless that vehicle carries a portable early warning device 
complying with the specifications prescribed by the Land Transportation 
Office. 
2. Whenever a disabled vehicle is stationary on a thoroughfare, the portable 
early warning devices shall be placed one (1) to the rear of vehicle and 
one (1) to the front side nearer to the center of the thoroughfare at a 
distance prescribed by the Land Transportation Office, to give reasonable 
warning to approaching drivers. 
3. Nothing in this Section shall affect any duty imposed by this Act to display 
lighted lamps on stationary vehicles. 
Section 54. Lights and Other Equipment on Bicycles 
1. No person shall ride or propel a bicycle between sunset and sunrise, 
unless it is equipped with: 
a. A lighted lamp showing a clear white light to the front; 
b. A lighted lamp showing a clear red light to the rear; 
c. A red reflector on its rear; and 
d. A rear mudguard, the rear half of which is colored white. 
Such lamps and reflectors shall be of the types and affixed in the 
pOSitions prescribed by the proper authority and shall be kept clean at all 
times. 
2. No person shall ride a bicycle unless it is equipped with: 
a. An efficient brake; and 
b. An efficient bell or some other suitable warning device. 
30 


Section 55. Lights on Animal-Drawn Vehicle 
1. No person shall drive or permit any animal-drawn vehicles or any trailer 
attached to it to be upon any thoroughfare between sunset and sunrise, 
unless the vehicle or the trailer is equipped with appropriate front and rear 
lamps, clearance lamps and reflectors as prescribed by the proper 
authority, and the lamps are lighted. 
2. All reflectors and lights prescribed by this Section shall be kept clean and 
shall not be obscured by any part of the vehicle or its load. 
Section 56. Fog Lamps 
1. In fog or mist or under abnormal atmospheric conditions restricting 
visibility, the display of light from a fog lamp or fog lamps shall be 
deemed compliant with any obligation to display light from a headlight or 
headlights under the provisions of this Article. 
2. No person shall drive a motor vehicle (not being a motorcycle) displaying 
light from a single fog lamp, unless it is affixed to the front of the vehicle 
and at the same height from the ground as two (2) lamps of a front, the 
centers of which lamps are not less than one meter apart. 
3. No person shall drive a motor vehicle displaying light from a fog lamp or 
lamps if any other lamp of a power exceeding seven watts (7w) and 
capable of showing a white light to the front is lighted. 
4. For purposes of this Section, a fog lamp is one designed to enable the 
driver or motorist to see through the fog, mist or abnormal atmospheric 
conditions from a distance of at least one hundred eighty meters (180m). 
Section 57. Lights on Towed Vehicles. No person shall, between sunset and 
sunrise, drive a motor vehicle which is turning another vehicle unless a lighted 
lamp is attached to the portion of the towed vehicle facing any following vehicle 
with a power not exceeding seven watts (7w) showing a clear red light visible 
under normal atmospheric condition at a distance of one hundred meters (100m) 
and is so placed that: 
1. Its center is not more than one meter (1 m) above the ground; and 
2. It is in the center to the left side of the center of that portion of the towed 
vehicle facing any following vehicle. 
Section 58. Spot Lamps 
1. No person shall cause or permit any spot lamp or search lamp affixed or 
connected to any vehicle to be lighted unless: 
31 


a. The vehicle is stationary and the lamp is used only for the purpose 
of examining or making adjustments or repairs to a vehicle and the 
light from the lamp is projected not more than six meters (6m); or 
b. The vehicle is outside a built-up area and the lamp is lighted and 
used only for the purpose of reading a road sign. 
2. The provisions of Subsection (1) of this Section shall not apply if the 
vehicle is an emergency vehicle or if the vehicle is being used by law 
enforcement agencies in the performance of their official functions. 
Section 59. Flashing Warning Sign 
1. No person shall drive or leave waiting a vehicle on which is mounted a 
lamp displaying intermittent flashes, except: 
a. A lamp displaying intermittent red or blue flashes on the top of; or 
b. A lamp displaying intermittent amber flashes on top of: 
i. A tow truck or motor breakdown service vehicle at the scene 
of an accident or a breakdown; or 
ii. A vehicle being used by a govemment or public local 
authority in connection with its functions and occupying a 
hazardous position on the thoroughfare while the tow truck 
or the vehicle is stationary or is maneuvering at a speed not 
exceeding ten kilometres per hour (10 kph) 
c. A motor vehicle moving or stationary in a hazardous position on a 
thoroughfare because of an emergency situation or with similar 
justifiable cause displaying such flashes from both sides of the 
front and rear of the vehicle by means of a flashing lamp signalling 
device: Provided, that the display of such flashes and the operation 
of the device are in accordance with the specification of the Land 
Transportation Office. 
2. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prevent the use of flashing 
lamp signal device in accordance with this Act. 
ARTICLE X 
BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND ANIMALS 
Section 60. Riding Bicycles or Tricycles 
1. No person shall ride a bicycle or tricycle which does not have a 
permanent and regular seat attached to it. 
2. No bicycle or tricycle shall be used to carry at one time more persons than 
the number for which it has been designed and equipped. 
32 


3. No person shall ride a bicycle without having at least one (1) hand on the 
handlebars. 
4. Wherever a bicycle lane is provided, the rider of the bicycle shall use the 
bicycle lane. 
5. No person shall ride a bicycle within two meters of the rear of a motor 
vehicle. 
6. No person shall drive a tricycle on any national road; 
7. No person shall drive a tricycle on any road which is traversed by a higher 
mode of public transport on the basis of the route provided for under the 
Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (L TFRB) issued 
Certificate of Public Convenience 
Section 61. Riding More Than Two Abreast 
1. Except on a bicycle lane where such is permitted by signs or other 
means, no person shall ride a bicycle so that it is travelling abreast with 
more than one (1) bicycle. 
2. Subsection (1) of this Section shall not operate to prevent a cyclist from 
overtaking and passing other persons riding bicycles abreast. 
3. A bicycle shall be deemed to be abreast with another bicycle if any part of 
it is by the side of any part of the other. 
Section 62. Leading and Pulling Animals 
1. A person riding an animal shall not lead or pull more than one (1) other 
animal. 
2. Not more than two (2) animals shall be allowed to pull a vehicle. 
3. A person driving a motor vehicle shall not lead nor pull any animal. 
4. Riding an animal, driving an animal-drawn vehicle or pulling an animalls 
is/are prohibited on expressways. 
ARTICLE XI 
CARELESS AND DANGEROUS DRIVING 
AND DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR OR DRUGS 
Section 63. Scope. The provisions of this Article shall apply to drivers/riders, 
vehicles and pedestrians upon roads or in any place commonly used by the 
public or to which the public is permitted to have access. 
33 


Section 64. Careless Driving. A person shall not drive a vehicle without due care 
or attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons. 
Section 65. Reckless and Dangerous Driving. A person shall not drive under the 
influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug shall not: 
1. Drive a vehicle or motorcycle; or 
2. Attempt to put a vehicle in motion. 
Section 67. Driving a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Liquor or other 
Incapacitating Drug. No person shall drive a motor vehicle while under the 
influence of liquor or other incapacitating drug. For other purpose of this Section, 
a driver is considered under the influence of liquor, if, at the time of a competent 
examination of his person, he is found to have in his blood at least 0.06% of 
alcohol or, in the case of other drugs, it is reasonably manifested from his 
actions or behaviour that the exercise of any of his five senses is physically 
impaired as to expose himself or the vehicle or other persons to a danger of 
accident. 
Section 68. Prohibition. The operation of any vehicle, although not motorized, in 
the manner stated hereinabove, is likewise prohibited. 
Section 69. Penalties. Violations of the prOVisions of this Act by drivers and 
motorists shall be penalized with graduated fines, as fallows: Three Hundred 
Pesos (P300.00) for the first offense; Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) for the 
second offense; One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) for the third offense; one-
year suspension of the driver's license and fine of at least Two Thousand Pesos 
(P2,OOO.OO) for the fifth offense and subsequent violations of the last three 
preceding sections shall cause the revocation of the license. 
ARTICLE XII 
EXPRESSWAYS 
Section 70. Use of Expressways 
1. No person shall ride an animal-drawn vehicle, ride an animal, lead any 
animal or walk upon an expressway, contrary to the provisions of a sign 
installed upon or near the expressway; 
2. Emergency lanes on expressways as designated and clearly marked as 
such shall not be used except for emergency; 
34 


3. The provisions of this Act governing traffic on roads and highways and all 
usages affecting roads and highways, shall apply to expressways; 
4. Construction Equipment: 
a. Tractors, graders and other related construction equipment on the 
jobsite and in an on-going road construction shall not be 
considered as moving motor vehicles: Provided, however, that 
such tractors, graders and related construction equipment, while on 
transport from point of origin to point of destination and vice-versa, 
shall be considered as moving motor vehicles. 
Section 71. Use of Limited Access Highways. To ensure public safety, the Toll 
Regulatory Board (TRB), with the concurrence of the DOTC, shall issue orders, 
rules and regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the 
effective implementation of this provision. 
ARTICLExm 
DRIVERS 
Section 72. Leaving Motor Vehicles Unattended. A driver of a motor vehicle 
shall not permit to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the 
ignition, removing the ignition key, effectively upon any grade, turning the front 
wheels to the curve or the side of the thoroughfare nearer to the motor vehicle. 
Section 73. Driving Backwards. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in 
reverse on a thoroughfare unless he can do so with safety, or for a greater 
distance than is reasonable having regard to the circumstances. 
Section 74. Driving on Footways and Reservations. 
1. Subject to Subsection (2) below: 
a. A person shall not drive a vehicle on a footway except to cross it by 
the shortest route to enter or leave a private driveway. 
b. If a road include two (2) or more separate thoroughfares divided by 
a reservation or reservations, a driver shall not cross from one (1) 
thoroughfare to another except at a place improved, designed or 
ordinarily used for vehicle traffic. 
2. Subsection (1) shall not apply to the riding of a bicycle on footpath or the 
provisions of this Section shall not apply to an invalid's chair travelling at 
not more than normal walking pace. 
35 


, 
Section 75. Control of a vehicle 
1. A person shall not drive a vehicle unless he is in such a position that he 
has full control over it and can obtain a full uninterrupted view of the road 
any traffic ahead and on each side of him, and can obtain in a rear view 
mirror attached to the vehicle a clear reflected view of any overtaking 
vehicle. 
2. A passenger in a motor vehicle shall not interfere with or impede the free 
movement or vision of the driver. 
3. No person shall drive a motorcycle without having both hands on the 
handlebars. 
Section 76. Positions of Drivers and Passengers. A person, while driving or 
riding a motor vehicle (other than motorcycle) shall not permit any part of his 
body or limbs: 
1. To be upon or in contact with any external step or mudguard or footboard 
or other external surface of the vehicles; 
2. To extend or protrude beyond or through any external door, window or 
other opening of the vehicle; 
3. To extend or protrude beyond or hand over any side of the front, rear or 
any other external portion of the vehicles: Provided, That this Section 
shall not operate to prevent a driver from giving any signal authorized or 
prescribed by this Act: Provided, further, That proper authority may 
authorize any person or class of persons to ride upon any portion of a 
vehicle or class of vehicles. 
ARTICLE XV 
USE OF CELLULAR PHONE 
Section 77. Use of Cellular Telephones while driving or riding a motorcycle, 
Prohibition; Exceptions. 
1. It shall be prohibited to use the cellular phone while driving or riding a 
motorcycle all types of vehicles, by text messaging and/or by dial-up 
communication; 
Owners of cellular phone may make use of different accessories to be 
connected therein before using the same while driving vehicles. 
2. An operator of a motor vehicle or a motorcycle who holds a cellular 
telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, the operator's ear while the 
motor vehicle is in motion is presumed to be engaging in a calf. This 
36 


presumption is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator 
was not engaging in a call; 
3. This section does not apply to any of the following: 
a. Law enforcement and safety personnel; 
b. Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles; 
c. Public transit personnel; 
d. A person who is reporting reckless or negligent behaviour; 
e. The 
use of cellular telephone 
for the sole 
purpose of 
communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency 
situation: 
i. An emergency response operator; 
ii. A hospital, physician's office or health clinic; 
iii. A provider of ambulance services; 
iv. A provider of fire fighting services; 
v. A law enforcement agency. 
Section 78. Penalties. In the enforcement of this Act the L TO shall impose fines 
against drivers for violation of abovementioned provisions. 
The following shall be the basis in defining fine and penalty provisions of the IRR 
to be promulgated, provided that six (6) months grace period shall be allowed to 
lapse to conduct a nationwide information campaign. 
For engaging in a call using a cellular telephone while the motor vehicle is in 
notion without a hands-free device, a minimum fine of One hundred Pesos 
(Pi 00) but not to exceed One thousand pesos (Pi ,000) for the first violation; a 
minimum of Two hundred Pesos (P200) but not to exceed Two thousand pesos 
(P2,OOO) for the second violation; and a minimum fine of Five hundred pesos 
(P500) but not to exceed Five thousand pesos (P5,OOO) and suspension of 
driver's license for a period of one (1) week for the third and succeeding 
violations; 
ARTICLE XVI 
PEDESTRIANS 
Section 79. Pedestrian Crossing 
1. A driver approaching a pedestrian crossing shall travel at such speed that, 
if necessary to comply with this Section, he will be able to stop his vehicle 
before reaching a pedestrian crossing. 
2. A driver shall not permit any portion of his vehicle to enter upon a 
pedestrian crossing even if any vehicle headed in the same direction is 
37 


stopped on the approach side of or upon the pedestrian crossing 
apparently for the purpose of complying with this Section. 
Section 80. Duties of a Pedestrian 
A pedestrian: 
1. When crossing a footway, crosswalk or pedestrian crossing, shall keep as 
close as practicable to the right side of the footway, marked crosswalk or 
pedestrian crossing; 
2. When crossing a thoroughfare at an intersection, shall keep to his right; 
3. When crossing a thoroughfare or portion of a thoroughfare shall do so, as 
far as practicable, through the shortest and most direct route to the 
thoroughfare boundary. 
Section 81. Restrictions on Pedestrians 
A person shall not: 
1. While waiting to board a vehicle stand on any portion of a thoroughfare; 
2. proceed from a footway to a vehicle for the purpose of boarding it until it 
has stopped; 
3. Alight from or board a moving vehicle; 
4. Remain on a pedestrian crossing, or any such marked crosswalk longer 
than is necessary, for the purpose of passing over the thoroughfare with 
reasonable dispatch; 
5. Stand upon a footway or thoroughfare so as to inconvenience, obstruct, 
hinder or prevent the free passage of any other pedestrian or any vehicle. 
6. No person shall hang on to, ride on, the outside or the rear end of any 
vehicle, and no person on a bicycle, roller skate or other similar device, 
shall hold fast to or hitch on to any moving vehicle, and no driver shall 
knowingly permit any person to hang on to or ride, the outside or rear end 
of his vehicle or allow any person on a bicycle, roller skate or other similar 
device to hold fast or hitch to his vehicle. 
Section 82. Pedestrian on Thoroughfare. 
1. A pedestrian shall not proceed upon a thoroughfare if a footway exists on 
the road and is in a condition fit for use. 
2. A pedestrian proceeding along a thoroughfare shall, when practicable, 
travel the opposite direction, and shall keep as close as he can to the 
boundary of the thoroughfare on his left. 
38 


3. A pedestrian shall not proceed along a thoroughfare abreast of more than 
one (1) other pedestrian, except in a procession or parade authorized by 
the proper authority. 
4. A pedestrian shall not enter upon any portion of a thoroughfare within 
eighteen (18) meters from: 
a. A marked crosswalk adjacent to a traffic control signal in operation; 
b. A pedestrian crossing except for the purpose of alighting from or 
boarding a bus or a public utility vehicle at an authorized stopping 
place. 
5. Nothing in this Section shall apply to a thoroughfare from which vehicle 
are for the time being excluded. 
ARTICLE XVI 
MOTORCYCLES 
Section 83. Passengers on Motorcycle 
1. Only one (1) back rider shall be allowed on a motorcycle or scooter who 
must be provided with a seat and footrest. 
2. The motorcycle or scooter shall not carry cargo other than the saddle 
bags or luggage carriers specifically designed and approved by the DTI; 
3. No person shall drive a motorcycle carrying any other person unless that 
person is safely seated: 
a. In a side car; or 
b. Upon a pillion astride a motorcycle, facing forward and using 
footrests. 
Section 84 Motorcycle and Scooter Accessories. Motorcycles or scooters shall 
be equipped with required accessories such as headlight, tail light, Signal light, 
brake light, side mirror and horn. 
The driver/rider shall, anytime of the day, switch on the headlight of the 
motorcycle or scooter while it is being operated on the highway. He shall dim the 
light headlight or lower the beam whenever the motorcycle or scooter is being 
operated on well-lighted streets within the limits of cities, municipalities and 
thickly populated barrios or districts, or whenever it meets another vehicle along 
a highway. 
Any major modification of the original standard design of a motorcycle or scooter 
shall first be subject to the approval of L TO and the DTI. 
39 


• 
Section 85. Lane Splitting. A driver/rider shall observe the rule on one lane per 
one vehicle only. Lane splitting is prohibited along a national road or highway. 
Motorcycles or scooters shall not be operated on sidewalks. 
Section 86. Penalties. 
For carrying more passengers other than the back rider or cargo other than 
the saddle bags and luggage carriers, fine of One thousand pesos 
(P1,000); 
For defective accessories such as headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, 
side mirror and hom, a fine of One Thousand Pesos (P1 ,000) 
For substantially modifying any part of the original designs of a motorcycle or 
scooter without approval of the L TO and the DTI, a fine of Two Thousand 
Pesos (P2,000); 
For wearing flip-flops, sandals or slippers or being bare footed while 
operating motorcycle or scooter on a road or highway, a fine of Five 
Hundred Pesos (P500) for the first offense. Seven hundred pesos (P700) 
for the second offense and a fine if One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) and 
revocation of driver's license for the third offense. 
ARTICLE XVII 
BICYCLE 
Section 87. Role of Local Governments. Local government units are authorized 
by this Act to regulate the users of bicycles within their jurisdiction. 
ARTICLE XVIII 
SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO CHILDREN 
Section 88. Transporting Children seven (7) years old and below. 
1. Prohibition. For any person to transport a child seven (7) years old and 
below on motorcycle along a national highway. 
2. Exception. Exceptions may be made in provinces and where motorcycles 
are the only means of transportation. 
3. Penalties. Any violation of this section shall be punished as follows: 
The first time offender shall be fined with an amount not exceeding Five 
Thousand pesos (P5,000), Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000) for the second 
offense and Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000) for the third and succeeding 
offenses. 
40 


Section 89. Special Protection for Child Passengers. Infants and/or children 
ages eight (8) years and below shall be prohibited to sit in front of any running 
motor vehicle unless the child is taller than four feet nine inches. The use of 
special car seats or child restraint systems for infants/children less than eight (8) 
years shall be mandatory if the child is not accompanied by an adult in the 
backseat. In the case of motor vehicles without backrow seats, children ages 
eight (8) years and below may be seated in the front seat, provided that, the 
vehicle is equipped with a child restraint system that is manufactured and crafted 
in accordance with the internationally acceptable industry standards. In all cases, 
the provision for and installation of the child restraint shall be the responsibility of 
the vehicle owner. 
Section 90. Children Unattended in Motor Vehicles. Any parent, legal guardian, 
or other person responsible for a child or children who is or are seven (7) years 
of age or younger shall not leave sLich child or children inside a motor vehicle 
without supervision by a person who is fourteen (14) years of age or older under 
one or more of the following circumstances: 
1. under conditions presenting a significant risk to the child's health or 
safety; 
2. the engine of motor vehicle is running; 
3. the keys to the motor vehicle are anywhere in the passenger 
compartment of the motor vehicle. 
Section 91. Penalties. Any person found guilty violating the provisions of the 
preceding section shall be punished with a fine of not more than Five Thousand 
Pesos (P5,OOO). A second violation of the provision of the preceding section 
within five (5) years or any subsequent violation, shall be punishable by a fine of 
not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,OOO) or a penalty of imprisonment of 
arresto mayor, or both at the discretion of the court, taking into consideration all 
attending circumstances. 
Section 92. Mandatory Restraint of Child Passenger. For the safety of child 
passengers, the driver of a public or private motor vehicle is required to restrain 
child passengers while inside a running vehicle on any road or thoroughfare. 
In case of public motor vehicles, the driver shall be required to immediately 
inform or require the adult accompanying the child passenger upon boarding a 
41 


vehicle to restrain the child passenger. Any passenger who refuses to restrain 
the child passenger shall not be allowed to continue his/her trip. 
Operational motor vehicles, both public and private, are not equipped with the 
required child restraints are given one (1) year from the issuance of the IRR by 
the L TO to retrofit appropriate child restraints in their vehicles. 
Section 93. Prohibited Acts and Penalties for Violation thereof. It shall be 
unlawful for any driver of a motor vehicle to travel which children on board 
without providing a safety device for such children. Any driver in violation of this 
provision shall be punished by a fine of One Thousand Pesos (Pi ,000) or 
imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, or both at the discretion of the 
court, taking into consideration all attending circumstances. 
The license of such driver shall also be revoked upon final conviction of two (2) 
violations of this provision. Such revocation shall prohibit the grant of a new 
driver'S license for the twelve (12) months from the date of the conviction. 
It shall also be unlawful for any adult accompanying any child or to allow such 
child to travel on a motor vehicle which does not have safety devices for 
children, unless such adult provides one for the child's own use. Any person in 
violation of this provision shall be punished with a fine of Two Thousand Pesos 
(P2,000) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, or both at the 
discretion of the court, taking into consideration all attending circumstances. 
Section 94. Exceptions. The provisions of the preceding Section shall not apply 
to public utility vehicles such as, but not limited to, jeepneys and buses, as well 
as to emergency vehicles. It shall likewise not apply to medical emergencies or 
when, because of the circumstances of the situation, riding in a motor vehicle 
without a safety device removes such child from an even greater or more 
imminent danger. 
Section 95. Period of Implementation. The L TO shall formulate and issue the 
necessary implementing rules, regulations and guidelines and shall mobilize 
available resources to assure the effective implementation of this article. 
Section 96. Testing of Child Restraints 
42 


• 
1. In General - Not later than six (6) months after the passage of this Act, 
the Secretary of DOTC (hereinafter referred to as "Secretary") shall 
promulgate crash test standards and conditions for child restraints. 
2. Elements for Consideration - In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall consider: 
a. Whether to conduct more comprehensive and dynamic testing of 
child restraints than is typically conducted as of the date of 
passage of this Act, including the use of test platforms designed: 
i. To stimulate an array of accident conditions, such as side-
impact crashes, rear impact crashes, and roll-over crashes; 
and 
ii. To reflect the designs of passenger motor vehicles in use of 
the date of passage of this Act 
b. Whether to use an increased number of anthropomorphic devices 
in a greater variety of heights and masses; and 
c. Whether to provide improved protection in motor vehicle accidents 
for children up to 59.2 inches tall who weigh more than fifty (50) 
pounds. 
3. Required Elements. In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall: 
a. Require that manufacturers design child restraints to minimize 
head injuries during side-impact and roll-over crashes, including 
requiring that child restraints have side-impact protection; 
b. Include a child restraint, as a requirement, in each vehicle applying 
for registration; 
c. Prescribe readily understandable text for any labels that are 
required to be placed on child restraints. 
4. Funding. There are appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out the provisions of this Act. 
Section 97. Child Restraint Safety Training Program. Not later than six (6) 
months after the passage of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and implement 
a safety rating program for child restraints to provide practicable, readily 
understandable, and timely information to parents and caretakers for use in 
making informed decisions in the purchase of child restraints. 
Section 98. Incorporation of Child Dummies in Safety Tests 
1. Review Process Required - Not later than two (2) years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the DOTC shall conduct a 
43 


review process to increase utilization of child dummies, in motor vehicle 
safety tests, including crash tests, conducted by the Department. 
2. Criteria -
In conducting the review process under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall select motor vehicle safety tests in which the inclusion of 
child dummies will lead to increased understanding of crash dynamics 
with respect to children and measurable improved child safety. 
3. Public Input -
The Secretary shall solicit and consider input from the 
public regarding the review process under paragraph (1). 
4. Report - Not later than one (1) year after the date of the enactment of this 
Section, the Secretary shall publish a report regarding the implementation 
of this Section. This report shall include information regarding the current 
status of crash test dummies. 
Section 99. Child Safety Information Programs 
1. In General - Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall supplement ongoing consumer 
information programs relating to child safety with information regarding 
hazards to children in no-traffic, non-crash accident situations. 
2. Activities to Supplement Information - In implementing such programs, 
the Secretary shall: 
a. Utilize info"rmation collected in the database maintained under 
Section 7 regarding non-traffic, non-crash injuries, as well as other 
relevant data from private organizations, to establish priorities for 
the program; 
b. Address ways in which parents can mitigate dangers to small 
children arising from preventable causes, including back-over 
incidents, hypothermia in closed vehicles, and accidental activation 
or power windows; 
c. Partner with national child safety research organizations and other 
interested organizations with respect to the delivery of program 
information; and 
d. Make information related to child safety available to the public via 
the internet and other means. 
Section 100. Report on Vehicle Visibility. Not later than two (2) years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress 
on the extent to which driver visibility of the area immediately surrounding light 
44 


passenger vehicles and obstructions to such visibility affect pedestrian safety, 
including safety of infants and small children, in non-traffic, non-crash situations. 
Section 101. Report on Enhanced Vehicle Safety Technologies. Not later than 
eighteen (18) months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report that describes, evaluates, and determines the 
relative effectiveness of: 
1. Currently available and emerging technologies, including auto reverse 
functions, that are designed to prevent and reduce the number of injuries 
and deaths to children left unattended inside parked motor vehicles, 
including injuries and deaths that result from hypothermia or are related to 
power windows or power sunroofs; and 
2. Currently available and emerging technologies that are designed to 
prevent deaths and injuries to small children resulting from vehicle blind 
spots and back-over incidents. 
Section 102. Database on Injuries and Deaths in Non-traffic, Non-crash Events. 
1. In General - The Secretary shall maintain a database of, and regularly 
collect data regarding, injuries and deaths in non-traffic, non-crash events 
involving motor vehicles. The database shall include information 
regarding: 
a. The number, types, and proximate causes of injuries and deaths 
resulting from such events; 
b. The characteristics of motor vehicles involved in such events; 
c. The characteristics of the motor vehicle operators and victims 
involved in such events; and 
d. The presence or absence in motor vehicles involved in such events 
of advanced technologies designed to prevent such injuries and 
deaths. 
2. Regulations - The Secretary shall prescribe regulations regarding how to 
structure and compile the database. The Secretary shall solicit and 
consider input from the public regarding data collection procedures and 
the structure of the database maintained under paragraph (1). 
Section 103. Penalties and Fines The L TO shall impose fines against drivers 
for violation of this article with no specified penalties. 
45 


The following shall be the basis in defining fine and penalty provisions of the IRR 
promulgated provided that six (6) months grace period shall be allowed to lapse 
to conduct a nationwide information campaign. 
For failure to restrain a child occupant, a minimum fine of One Hundred Pesos 
(P100) but not to exceed One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) for the first violation; a 
minimum fine of Two Hundred Pesos (P200) but not to exceed Two Thousand 
Pesos (P2,OOO) for the second violation, and a minimum fine of Five Hundred 
Pesos (P500) but not to exceed Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO) and suspension 
of driver's license for a period of one (1) week for the third and succeeding 
violations. 
ARTICLE XVIII 
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS 
Section 104. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers. Not later than one 
(1) year after the date of enactment, the Secretary of the DOTe shall prescribe 
proficiency standards for school bus drivers who are required to possess a 
professional license to operate a school bus. 
Section 105. Requirement for Instal/ation. 
1. Not later than one (1) year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring driver seat belts and 
passenger seat belts for each seating position in any newly manufactured 
school bus. Owners of school buses which are not currently equipped with 
seat belts shall be given a period of six (6) months from the publication of 
the regulations by the Secretary to install the necessary seat belts in their 
school buses. 
2. Promotion of Seat Belt Usage: 
a. In general - The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate safety 
organizations and parent-teacher organizations, shall conduct a 
program to promote and encourage the use of seatbelts in school 
buses; 
b. Elements of Program - In conducting the program required under 
this subsection, the Secretary shall: 
i. Encourage the local governments to monitor the mandatory 
usage of seat belts in school buses; 
ii. Develop and disseminate educational materials on the 
importance of using seat belts to passengers and drivers of 
school buses; and 
46 


iii. Recognize in an appropriate manner school that achieve a 
high level of seat belt usage by passengers and drivers of 
school buses. 
Section 106. Determination of Practicability and Feasibility of Certain Safety and 
Access Requirements for School Buses 
1. Commencement of Rulemaking Process -
Immediately upon the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall begin a rulemaking process to 
determine the feasibility and practicability of the following: 
a. A requirement for a decrease in the flammability of the materials 
used in the construction of the interiors of school buses; 
b. Final Rule -
Not later than one (1) year after such date, the 
Secretary shall promulgate a final rule providing for any 
requirement or standard referred to in paragraph (a) of Subsection 
(1) that the Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable. 
Section 107. Registration. No school bus shall be allowed to acquire, maintain 
and renew registration unless it is equipped with the necessary seat belts. 
Section 108. Implementing Authority. The Secretary shall be primarily 
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Article. 
The Secretary may provide for a reasonable period for public notice and 
comment consistent with ensuring expeditious but full implementation of the 
prescribed safety requirement of this Article. 
ARTICLE XIX 
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL 
Section 109. Safe Routes to School Program 
1. In General - The Department shall establish and carry out safe routes to 
schools program for the benefit of students in primary and secondary 
schools. The purposes of the program are: 
a. To enable and encourage children, including students with 
disabilities, to walk and bicycle to primary and secondary schools; 
b. To make walking and bicycling to primary and secondary schools a 
safer and more appealing transportation alterative, thereby 
encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and 
47 


c. To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of 
projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, 
fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of primary and 
secondary schools. 
2. Safe Routes to School Coordinator -
Each Local Government Unit 
receiving an apportionment under the proceeding Section for a fiscal year 
shall use a sufficient amount of the apportionment to fund a full-time 
position of coordinator of the "Safe Routes to Schools Program" of the city 
or municipality. 
3. Long Range Transportation Plans - The LGU Coordinator shall develop 
and adopt a long-range transportation plan that: 
a. Includes the most recent data available on the percentage of trips 
made by foot and by bicycle in their locality; 
b. Includes a target level for pedestrian and bicycle trips that is 
commensurate with the goal of doubling the percentage of trips 
made by foot and bicycles; and 
c. Identify the contribution made by projects under the transportation 
improvement program of the organization toward meeting the goal 
of doubling the percentage of trips made by foot and bicycle. 
4. Eligible Projects and Activities 
a. Infrastructure-Related Projects - Amounts apportioned to a Local 
Government Unit under the proceeding Section may be used for 
planning, design and construction of infrastructure-related projects 
that will substantially improve the ability of students to walk and 
bicycle to primary and secondary schools in the vicinity of primary 
and secondary schools, including: 
i. Sidewalk improvements; 
ii. Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements; 
iii. Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; 
iv. On-street bicycle facilities; 
v. Off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities; 
vi. Secure bicycle parking facilities; and 
vii. Traffic diversion improvements. 
An infrastructure-related project under subparagraph (8) may be 
carried out on any public road or any bicycle or pedestrian pathway 
or trail in the vicinity of a primary or secondary school. 
b. Non-Infrastructure-Related Activities -
In addition to projects 
described in paragraph (a), amounts apportioned to a locality under 
48 


the proceeding Section may be used for non-infrastructure-related 
activities to encourage walking and bicycling to primary and 
secondary schools, including: 
i. Public awareness campaigns and outreach to press and 
community leaders; 
ii. Traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of primary 
and middle schools; 
iii. Student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health 
and environment; and 
iv. Funding for training, volunteers, and managers of safe 
routes to school programs 
c. Allocation - Not less than ten percent (10) and not more than thirty 
percent (30%) of the amount apportioned to a local government 
unit for a fiscal year shall be used for non-infrastructure-related 
activities under this paragraph. 
Section 110. Appropriations 
1. In General- To carry out the provisions of this Article, such sums as may 
be necessary are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the national 
treasury. 
2. Apportionment of Funds - Subject to the preceding paragraph, amounts 
made available to carry out this program for a fiscal year shall be 
apportioned among the local government units in the ration that bears to 
the total student enrolment in primary and secondary schools in the 
country. 
3. Determination of Student Enrolments -
Determinations under this 
subsection concerning student enrolments shall be made by the 
Secretary. 
Section 111. Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program 
1. Establishment - The Secretary of the DOTe shall establish and carry out 
a non-motorized transportation pilot program to construct, in four 
communities selected by the Secretary, a network of non-motorized 
transportation infrastructure facilities, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, 
and pedestrian and bicycle trails, that connect directly with transit stations, 
schools, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community 
activity centers. 
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2. Purpose - The purpose of the program shall be to demonstrate the extent 
to which bicycling and walking can ease the burden on transportation 
systems, and represent a major portion of the transportation needs that 
are not met, within selected communities. 
3. Grants 
a. In General - In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make 
grants 
to 
local 
government 
units, 
and 
non-governmental 
organizations that the Secretary determines are suitably equipped 
and organized to carry out the objectives and requirements of this 
subsection. 
b. Sub-allocation - A Local Government Unit that receives a grant 
under this Section may sub-allocate grant funds to a non-profit 
organization to carry out the program under this subsection. 
c. Availability - Funds made available to carry this Section shall not 
be transferable and shall remain available until expended. 
4. Statistical Information - In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall: 
a. Develop statistical information on changes in motor vehicle, non-
motorized transportation and public transportation usage in 
communities participating in the program; and 
b. Assess how the changes: 
i. Decrease congestion and energy usage; 
ii. Increase the frequency of biking and walking; and 
iii. Promote better health and a cleaner environment. 
5. Appropriations - To carry out the non-motorized pilot program under this 
Section, such sums as may be necessary are hereby authorized to be 
appropriated from the National Treasury. 
ARTICLE XX 
SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO DIFFERENTL Y-ABLED PERSONS 
Section 112. Special Bus Stops. Special bus stops shall be designed for 
differently-abled persons. Discriminating against differently-abled persons in the 
carriage or transportation of passengers is hereby declared unlawful. 
Section 113. Penalties. Any person violating the preceding section of this 
Article, upon conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall suffer the 
penalty of imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than one year 
or a fine of P2,OOO to PS,OOO or both at the discretion of the court. Provided that 
in the case of corporations, partnerships, cooperatives or associations, the 
50 


president, manager or administrator, or the person who is in-charged of the 
construction, repair or renovation of the building, space or utilities shall be 
criminally responsible for any violation of this Article. 
Section 114. ReselVed Seat. All public transport conveyances shall allocate a 
reserved seat properly marked to person with disabilities. 
Section 115. Apprehension. The L TO shall apprehend and impound buses 
found not observing the requirement. The L TFRB shall suspend and/or cancel 
previously 
issued 
Certificate 
of 
Public 
Convenience 
(CPq 
to 
bus 
operators/corporations found to have grossly violated the provision. 
Section 116. Issuance of Driver's License to Persons with Disabilities The 
following persons with disabilities are qualified to secure driver's license, to wit: 
1. 
a. Orthopedically Impaired 
i. For upper limbs - amputated left arm or right arm with 
prosthesis 
ii. For lower limbs - amputated left leg or right leg-amputated 
left leg and right leg with prosthesis 
iii. Post-Polio - with one paralyzed leg either left or right 
b. Partially Blind - person with visual impairment either left eye or 
right eye 
c. Speech and Hearing Impaired - person unable to speak but can 
hear/can partially hear 
2. Applicant must be holder of Student Permit and must have undergone 
apprenticeship period for at least one (1) month; 
3. He/She must be at least seventeen (17) years old; 
4. He/She must pass the required written and practical examination; 
5. All 
physically-handicapped 
persons 
who 
pass 
the 
qualification 
requirements shall be issued a Non-Professional driver's license only; 
6. The applicant must submit a medical certificate with Official Receipt (OR) 
registered with BIR, indicating the physical state of the applicant from any 
government or private specialized physician, such as: 
a. Ophthalmologist - for visually-impaired applicant 
b. Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist -
for orthopedically-impaired 
applicant 
51 


c. Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) - for speech and hearing-impaired 
applicant 
7. A medical certificate issued by any government or private specialized 
physician shall have the validity period of one (1) month reckoned from 
the date of issuance; 
8. Orthopedically impaired applicant should only drive the "customized 
vehicle" duly inspected and registered by the L TO and plate number duly 
indicated in the driver's license receipt (DLR); 
9. A visually-impaired applicant is limited to daytime driving only," which is 
6am to 6pm; 
10. Holders of' ProfeSSional or Non-Professional driver's license who belongs 
to the disabled categories in item number 1 of this Section must apply for 
a replacement of his driver's license with conditionsllimitations, provided 
he/she must submit a medical certificate with Official Receipt stating 
his/her physical state from any specialized governrpent or private 
physician stated in item number 6. 
ARTICLE XXI 
MISCELLANEOUS 
Section 117. Reckless Driving. No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any 
highway recklessly or without reasonable caution considering the width, traffic, 
grades, crossing, curvatures, visibility and other conditions of the highway and 
the conditions of the atmosphere and weather, or so as to endanger the property 
or the safety or rights of any person or so as to cause excessive or unreasonable 
damage to the highway. 
Section 118. Tampering with Vehicles. No unauthorized person shall sound the 
horn, handle the levers or set in motion or in any way tamper with a damage or 
deface any motor vehicle. 
Section 119. Riding in Trailers. A person shall not: 
1. Drive a vehicle towing a trailer while any person is on or upon a trailer; 
2. Ride in or upon a trailer while it is being towed unless written permit are 
complied with. 
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a motor vehicle being towed with 
all wheels on the ground. 
52 


Section 120. Opening Doors 8nd Alighting from Vehicles 
1. A person shall not: 
a. Open or leave a door of a vehicle; or 
b. Alight from a vehicle into a thoroughfare so as to cause danger to 
other road-users or to impede the passage of traffic. 
2. A person shall not drive a bus fitted with a door or doors capable of being 
opened or closed by the driver in his normal driving position unless every 
door is closed. 
Section 121. Putting Glass, etc., on Roads 
1. No person shall throw, drop. Place or leave or cause to be thrown, 
dropped, placed or left upon any road, any bottle, glass, nail or any 
substance or thing likely to endanger any person, animal or vehicle; 
2. No person shall place, deposit, keep on a thoroughfare or part thereof, 
gravel, sand, lumber or any other materials, substance or thing, including 
livi ng creatu res; 
3. The use of any road, street or highway, or any part thereof, for or in 
connection with the exercise of one's profession, business or occupation 
is prohibited; 
4. any person who throws, drops, places or leaves or causes or allows to be 
thrown, dropped, placed or left upon any road, any bottle, glass, nail or 
any substance or thing likely to endanger any person, animal or vehicle, 
shall, as soon as practicable, thereafter remove it or cause it to be 
removed. 
Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a road, shall remove 
any glass or other destructive, injurious or dangerous substances or materials 
dropped upon the road from the vehicle. 
Section 122. Diggings, Constructions, etc., on Roads. No person shall 
undertake, or cause to undertake diggings, constructions or repairs, put up 
installations and other similar projects on any road, street or highway, without the 
prior written permission of the city or district engineer and/or proper authority 
under whose jurisdiction the road, street or highway falls. The prohibition 
provided herein applies to all persons regardless of whether or not the latter is 
undertaking the digging, construction, repair, installation or similar project for the 
government or any of its agencies or subdivisions. 
53 


• 
Whenever construction or repairs shall be made, the available/existing lanes of 
passage shall ensure that the workplace is clean, clear of construction debris, 
barricade, installed with necessary lighting and early warning device, and 
managed by presentable and recognizable private traffic aides. 
Section 123. Duty of electric companieslcooperatives and communications 
service providers. Immediately after the occurrence of natural and man-made 
disasters/calamities, 
any 
felled 
or 
leaning 
posts 
or 
dangling 
electric/communication wires along the highways/streets that may obstruct the 
free passage and/or may pose dangers to the commuters shall be removed and 
rewired at the company's expense. The PNP and the DPWH shall ensure that 
the national highways are free from any obstructions that would delay the 
delivery of basic services and commodities and would impede rescue and 
rehabilitation. Provided, that on extreme emergencies, any obstruction to the free 
passage may be cut, felled and removed even without prior notice to the owner 
and the cost thereof be charged at the owner's expense. 
Section 124. Securing of Loads. No person shall drive a vehicle carrying a load, 
unless the road is arranged, contained, fastened or covered that neither the load 
nor any part of it will fall or otherwise escape from the vehicle. 
Every load on a vehicle shall be so arranged, and, if necessary stowed as to 
prevent it from: 
Endangering persons or causing damage to public or private property, more 
particularly by trailing or falling on the road; 
obstructing the driver's view or impairing the stability of driving of the vehicle; 
causing noise, raising dust, or creating any other nuisance which can be 
avoided. 
Section 125. Obstructing Roads 
1. A person shall not, without the written permission of the proper authority, 
drive or leave standing any vehicle on a road for the purpose of: 
a. Soliciting employment or business from the vehicle; or 
b. Displaying an advertisement on the vehicles; or 
c. Offering goods for sale from the vehicle. 
2. A person shall not stand or place himself on a thoroughfare for the 
purpose of: 
54 


• 
a. Soliciting contributions, employment, business or a ride from an 
occupant of any vehicle; 
b. Displaying any advertisement; 
c. Offering goods for sale. 
3. A person in a vehicle shall not buy or offer to buy an article from any 
person standing or placed on a thoroughfare. 
4. A person shall not bar, impede or divert the flow or direction of traffic from 
any road, street or highway, unless authorized in writing, or except when 
the closure of a road or any part thereof to traffic or the diversions of 
traffic is dictated by reasons of emergency to protect the public from any 
calamity, fire or other grave public danger. 
Section 126. Obstruction to Traffic. No person shall drive his motor vehicle in 
such a manner as to obstruct or impede the passage of any vehicle, not, while 
discharging or taking on passengers or loading or unloading freight, obstruct the 
free passage of other vehicles on the highway. 
Section 127. Public Use of Subdivision Roads. Notwithstanding any provision of 
law, rules and regulations to the contrary, whenever necessary and possible as 
determined by the DPWH, a subdivision or village situated within highly-
urbanized areas shall open for public use at least one road within its boundaries 
to vehicular traffic: Provided, that the use of said subdivision or village roads 
shall be limited to vehicles with a gross vehicular weight of up to 4400 kgs. 
Section 128. Towed Vehicles, Trailers, etc 
1. No person shall drive: 
a. An articulated vehicle to which any other vehicle is attached; or 
b. A vehicle (other than an articulated vehicle) to which more than 
one other vehicle is directly or indirectly attached unless written 
permission is first obtained from the L TO and all the conditions of 
the permit are complied with. 
2. No person shall drive a vehicle towing any other vehicle if the vehicle to 
be towed is of such weight or dimensions as to likely prevent the driver 
from safely controlling both vehicles. 
Section 129. Processions. No person shall drive a vehicle in an organized 
procession (including a funeral procession) or a parade except in accordance 
with the permiSSion of the proper authority. 
55 


• 
• 
Section 130. Use of Horns, etc. No person shall use or cause to use the horn or 
any other warning instrument on a vehicle, except when necessary as a traffic 
warning or as indication that the driver of the vehicle intends to overtake another 
vehicle. 
Section 131. Permits for Vehicles Carrying Explosives or Dangerous 
Substances. A permit should be obtained from the proper authority for vehicles 
carrying explosives or dangerous substances. Such permit shall indicate the 
specific routes and time of travel of the vehicle. 
Section 132. Learners. 
1. A yellow plate bearing a black letter "L" measuring fifteen centimetres 
(15cm) in height shall be displayed on the front and rear of the motor 
vehicle by: 
a. Any holder of a driver's license and an accredited instructor, is 
sitting beside a person who is occupying the driver's seat learning 
to drive; 
b. Being a learner driver, is occupying the driver's seat and learning 
to drive. 
2. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle displaying a plate bearing letter 
"L" unless he is a bona fide learning to drive the motor vehicle or unless a 
person bona fide learning to drive is seated beside him. 
3. A learner shall always drive in the company of an accredited driving 
instructor or a holder of a licensed driver. 
Section 133. DUties of Drivers after Accidents. Where owing to the presence of 
a vehicle on road, an accident occurs, the driver of every vehicle concerned in 
the accident: 
1. shall stop his vehicle as soon as practicable; 
2. shall immediately render such assistance as he can; 
3. before leaving the scene of the accident, shall give his name and address 
of the owner of the vehicle and the registration and plate number of the 
vehicle, to every person injured or the owner or owners of the property; 
4. if any person was killed or injured, if the driver has not given his name and 
address to every owner of the property damaged or his representative, or 
if a fair estimate of the cost of making good the damage to all property 
damaged is in excess of two thousand pesos (P2,OOO) shall immediately 
56 


• 
• 
after attending to his other duties at the scene of the accident has already 
taken such particulars; and 
5. if a person has been injured or killed in the accident, notify the police and 
remain on the scene of the accident or return to it and wait there until the 
arrival of the police, unless he has been authorized by the pOlice to leave 
or has to assist the injured or to receive attention himself. 
Section 134. Production of Driver's License to Police. 
1. Any person who drives a vehicle on a road shall carry his driver's license 
with him at all times; 
2. Any person driving a motor vehicle on a road shall, when requested to do 
so by a member of the police force or any other authorized person, 
produce his license for inspection and state his true name and address; 
3. In this Section, "authorized person" shall mean a person authorized by or 
under any Act to require a driver of a motor vehicle on a road to produce 
his driver's license. 
4. A bona fide tourist or transient which is holding an international license 
may be permitted to operate a motor vehicle in the Philippines for a period 
not exceeding the expiry date of the said license. 
ARTICLE XXII 
PENALTIES 
Section 135. Penalties of Violations for those not specified 
1. Violations of the provisions of this Act, with no penalty specified under the 
Article, by drivers and motorists shall be penalized with graduated fines, 
as follows: Three Hundred Pesos (P300) for the first offense; Five 
Hundred Pesos (P500) for the second offense; One Thousand Pesos 
(P1,000) for the third offense; one-year suspension of the driver's license 
for the fifth offense and a fine of at least Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000); 
and 
2. For violation of this Act by persons other than drivers or motorists, the 
offender shall be penalized with a fine of Two Hundred Pesos (P200). 
Section 136. Penalty for Overloading. An amount equivalent to twenty five 
percent (25%) of the MVUC shall be imposed on trucks and trailers for loading 
beyond their prescribed gross vehicle weight: provided, that no axle load shall 
exceed nine thousand five hundred kilograms (9500 kgs.) 
57 


• 
• 
Section 137. Penalties and Fines for non-use of Seatbelt. In the enforcement of 
Republic Act 8750, otherwise known as an Act requiring the Mandatory 
Compliance by Motorists of Private and Public Vehicles to Use Seat Belt 
Devices, and Requiring Vehicle Manufacturers to Install Seat Belt Devices in all 
their Manufactured Vehicles, the L TO shall impose fines against drivers, 
operators, and owners of vehicles, manufacturers, assemblers, importers and/or 
distributors for violation of this Section. 
The following shall be the basis in defining fine and penalty provisions of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations to be promulgated pursuant to Section 11 
hereof, provided that six (6) months grace period shall be allowed to lapse to 
conduct a nationwide information campaign: 
1. On the driver: 
a. For failure to wear the prescribed seat belt device and/or failure to 
require his passengers to wear the prescribed seat belt device, a 
minimum fine of Three Hundred Pesos (P300) but not to exceed 
One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Pi,500) for the first violation; 
a minimum of Five Hundred Pesos (P500) but not to exceed Two 
Thousand Pesos (P2,OOO) for the second violation; and a minimum 
fine of One Thousand Pesos (P1,OOO) but not to exceed Five 
Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO) and suspension of driver's license for a 
period of two (2) weeks for the third and succeeding violations; 
b. Public utility vehicles shall post appropriate signage instructing 
front seat passengers to wear seat belts when inside the vehicle. 
Non-compliance hereof will hold both the driver and the operator 
liable and shall be fined a minimum of Five Hundred Pesos (P500) 
but not to exceed Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO) for every 
violation; and 
2. On any manufacturer, assembler, importer and distributor for every unit 
found without seatbelt devices installed prior to its distribution to the 
public, a minimum fine of Six Thousand Pesos (P6,OOO) but not to exceed 
Twelve Thousand Pesos (P12,OOO) and suspension of the license to 
manufacture, assemble, import or distribute for a period of one year for 
the first offense, a minimum of Ten Thousand Pesos (Pi 0,000) but not to 
exceed Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO) and suspension of the license 
to manufacture, assemble, import or distribute for a period of three (3) 
years for the second violation; and a fine of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos 
(P25,OOO) but not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO) and 
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• 
• 
suspension of the license to manufacture, assemble, import or distribute 
for a period of five (5) years for the third violation. 
Section 138. Punishment for Other Offenses. The conviction of any person for 
any offense under this Act shall not bar his prosecution for any offense which 
may have been committed by such person concurrently under other laws. 
ARTICLE XXII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
Section 139. Precedence of Act. The provisions of this Act shall have 
precedence over all acts of provincial boards, city or municipal councils and 
other local authorities. No such board, city or municipal councilor local authority 
shall enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution in conflict with any of the 
provisions of this Act, the provisions of any local government charter to the 
contrary withstanding. 
Section 
140. 
Enforcement. 
The 
Department 
of 
Transportation 
and 
Communications shall be the agency primarily responsible in the enforcement 
and implementation of this Act. Within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Act, 
the DOTC shall formulate and issue the necessary implementing rules, 
regulations and guidelines and shall mobilize available resources to assure the 
effective implementation of this Act. 
It shall also be the responsibility of the Philippine National Police, and other duly 
authorized agencies to enforce the provisions of this Act; Provided, that only 
holders of a driver'S license who have completed a traffic management training 
course shall be assigned as traffic enforcers of the Local Government Unit or 
assigned to the traffic division of the PNP. 
Section 141. Nationwide Public Information Campaign 
1. The DOTC, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), 
the Department of Education and private agencies and organizations, 
shall undertake a regular nationwide Information, Education and 
Communication (IEC) campaign for the attachment of the objectives of 
this Act; 
2. The DOTC, in coordination with the local government units, shall likewise 
utilize the services of citizen groups and community organizations for the 
promotion of public safety awareness in observance of this Act. 
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• 
Section 142. Payment of Fines. All fines imposed for violation of this Act, if 
uncontested, shall be paid either to the city, provincial or municipal treasurer of 
the place where the offense was committed, and allocate Fifty Percent (50%) of 
the same to be used for road traffic management and control functions in the 
city, province or town where the offense were committed; Twenty-Five Percent 
(25%) to be used for the establishment of driver education programs and 
facilities; and twenty-five percent to be used for an incentive program for the 
police and traffic enforcers. 
Section 143. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the funds alloUed to the DOTC under Republic 
Act 8794, commonly known as "An Act Imposing a Motor Vehicle User's Charge 
on Owners of all Types of Motor Vehicles and for other purposes." 
Section 144. Repealing Clause. The provisions of Republic Act No. 4136, 
Administrative Order No. 14, series of 1958 of the then Bureau of Public 
Highways, and other laws, executive orders, ordinances, resolutions or parts 
thereof, in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 145. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act of the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting. 
Section 146. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved. 
60