Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE DRIVING AND ESTABLISHING FAIR 
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ROAD SAFETY INCIDENTS AND VIOLATIONS OF 
TRAFFIC LAWS AND REGULATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On March 10, 2024, a motorcycle driver counter flowed in Sky Way Stage 3 and figured 
in a collision with another vehicle, which had the right of way, resulting to the death of the 
rider. After the initial investigation of police authorities, report shows that the rider was in 
violation of several traffic rules aside from counter flowing; at the time of incident, the rider 
also had no driver’s license, allegedly intoxicated, and was not wearing proper protective gears 
mandated under the law. Unfortunately, despite the clear right of way of the innocent driver of 
the vehicle and without any violation of traffic rules, the driver was detained and charged with 
reckless imprudence resulting to homicide. After two days in detention, the Quezon City 
Prosecutors Office issued a resolution dismissing the complaint and ordered the release of the 
innocent driver from detention. 
This proposed measure seeks to establish the fair accountability of drivers when figured 
in a road safety incident, especially when the driver had the right of way and was not violating 
any traffic rules at the time of incident. Under present laws, drivers involved in a traffic incident 
April 8, 2024
1:58 pm
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are presumed at fault even when the other party is at fault. A clear example of this is the 
abovementioned incident last March 10, 2024.  
Likewise, this measure provides for the circumstances when the driver is initially not 
presumed to be culpable in road incidents under investigation, such as when: 
1. The victim is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or
prescription medicine;
2. The victim was not crossing the street at a pedestrian lane or road
intersection;
3. The victim crossed the street or highway instead of using a nearby
pedestrian footbridge;
4. The victim is a bicycle rider not wearing safety devices;
5. The victim is a driver of a motorcycle, bicycle, or tricycle traveling on a
national highway under the minimum speed limit and not on the rightmost
lane of the road;
6. The victim is a driver who, at the exact time of the incident, did not have
right of way on the road;
7. The driver did not flee from the scene of the incident;
8. The driver was suffering, at the time of incident, a medical emergency such
as heart attack, stroke, asthma attack, or diabetic shock; and
9. The driver of the other vehicle has non-functional or lacks head lights, tail
lights, and other warning devices.
In addition, this measure defines different unsafe driving violations with corresponding 
liabilities under the Revised Penal Code as amended and the Civil Code of the Philippines as 
amended, and provides for the aggravating and mitigating circumstances in relation to driving 
violations.  
It is high time that Congress update the current laws, regulations, and procedures 
relating to road safety incidents in order to properly guide the law enforcers and unburden the 
innocent drivers of any culpability in the initial investigation stage. Likewise, this proposed 
measure will promote responsible driving to every motorist and safety to the general public. 


This is in consonance with Article II, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution which states 
that maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the 
promotion of the general welfare are essential. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
    Deputy Majority Leader 
  Representative, TGP Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE DRIVING AND ESTABLISHING FAIR 
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ROAD SAFETY INCIDENTS AND VIOLATIONS OF 
TRAFFIC LAWS AND REGULATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Responsible 
Driving and Accountability Act”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. – It is hereby declared as policy of the State 
to provide an effective and efficient regulation of road for the safety of its citizens by 
establishing fair accountability for road safety incidents and violations of traffic laws and 
regulations.   
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – The following terms are hereby defined and 
adopted to enforce the provisions of this Act: 
a) Dangerous driving with intent to kill or injure others is the willful operation or
control of a motor vehicle, in a manner and with awareness of probable or actual
10248


road, traffic, and pedestrian conditions, which directs and focuses the threat of 
injury or death on specific persons on the road or on the sidewalk. 
b) Reckless driving is the willful operation or control of a motor vehicle or bicycle, in 
a manner and with awareness of probable or actual road, traffic, and pedestrian 
conditions, which poses clear or likely risk of or causes of death or injury to any 
person on the road or on the sidewalk 
c) Suicidal driving is the willful operation or control of a motor vehicle, in a manner 
and with awareness of probable or actual road, traffic, and pedestrian conditions, 
which directs and focuses the threat of death or injury specifically to self. 
d) Terroristic driving is the willful operation or control of a motor vehicle, in a manner 
and with awareness of probable or actual road, traffic, and pedestrian conditions, 
that directs and focuses the threat of multiple death or injury on other persons on 
the road or on the sidewalk with the clear intent to cause mayhem, chaos, panic, and 
terror in furtherance of an extremist political or religious purpose. 
e) Careless driving is grossly negligent failure to operate or control a vehicle, 
motorized or not, in a careful and prudent manner, with disregard for the road, 
traffic, pedestrian, and all other attendant circumstances, endangering the life, limb, 
or property of any person on the road or on the sidewalk. 
f) Impaired driving is the complete or partial lack of control of a vehicle, motorized 
or not, in the custody of the driver for whatever reason, including but not limited to 
fatigue, lack of sleep, medical emergency, intoxication, use of illegal drugs, 
overdose or misuse of medication, advanced age, physical or mental disability, or 
distracted driving. 
g) Irresponsible custody of vehicle is the temporary or continuing custody and control 
of a motor vehicle, including its ignition or access keys, with carelessness, 
imprudence, and disregard for probable threats or danger arising from, but not 
limited to, driving by minors, driving by seniors with manifest impaired abilities, 
amateur stunt driving, and distracted driving. 
 
SECTION 4. Aggravating Circumstances. – The following circumstances constitute 
aggravating circumstances in driving violations: 
a) Driving a stolen vehicle; 
b) Driving without a proper driver’s license; 
c) Possession of or driving under the influence or illegal drugs; 


d) Driving while intoxicated; 
e) Possession of illegal firearms, explosives, and other weapons; and 
f) Carrying dangerous cargo such as combustible materials and chemicals. 
 
SECTION 5. Mitigating Circumstances. – The following circumstances constitute 
mitigating circumstances in driving violations: 
 
a) Over speeding due to medical emergency to rush to a hospital or other medical 
facility for immediate care; 
b) Pursuit of a suspect in a crime who is fleeing or has just fled from the scene of a 
crime; 
c) Rushing home or to workplace because of a fire or other disaster; and 
d) Serious to gross defects in the design and construction of roads and bridges, and of 
traffic signs and warnings. 
 
SECTION 6. Criminal, Civil and Administrative Culpability and Liability. – 
Culpability and liability for road safety incidents and driving violations are of varying degrees 
of gravity: criminal, civil, and administrative: 
 
a) Dangerous driving, reckless driving, careless driving, suicidal driving, and 
terroristic driving carry criminal, civil, and administrative liability.  
b) Careless driving, impaired driving, irresponsible custody of a motor vehicle, and 
violation of traffic rules and regulations at multiple ties carry no criminal liability 
but come with civil and administrative liability. 
 
SECTION 7. Presumption of Culpability. – The initial presumption of culpability 
shall be determined by the person in authority or law enforcer who is first at the scene of the 
incident or on whom continuing investigative responsibility is vested by competent authority 
over the road safety incident resulting in death, injury, destruction of property, or traffic 
congestion. 
The determination of initial culpability must either be in writing in a traffic incident 
report or orally, with at least three witnesses present, while the law enforcer’s lawful arrest 
without warrant or civilian citizen’s arrest is being made. 
 


A person in authority or deputized law enforcer may order the confiscation or personally 
and immediately confiscate the driver’s license of a suspected erring driver to prevent or avoid 
probable immediate future danger to self or other persons on the road or sidewalk.  
 
Whether the driver or drivers are initially culpable or not, the law enforcer investigating 
the road safety incident is hereby required to secure the signed and sworn statements of the 
drivers and other persons involved in and who witnessed the incident. 
 
The driver involved in a road safety incident is presumed to be culpable when: 
 
1) The driver flees from the scene of the incident; 
2) The driver was driving at high speed according to recorded eyewitness’ accounts 
taken at the scene of the incident; 
3) The driver had just committed at least one serious traffic violation; 
4) The driver is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription 
medication; 
5) The driver does not have a driver’s license or has an expired driver’s license; and 
6) The victim is a child younger than fifteen (15) years of age. 
 
The driver is presumed not culpable or not totally at fault for the incident under 
investigation when: 
 
1) The victim is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription 
medication; 
2) The victim was not crossing the street at a pedestrian lane or road intersection; 
3) The victim crossed the street or highway instead of using a nearby pedestrian 
footbridge; 
4) The victim is a bicycle rider not wearing safety devices; 
5) The victim is a driver of a motorcycle, bicycle, or tricycle traveling on a national 
highway under the minimum speed limit and not on the rightmost lane of the road; 
6) The victim is a driver who, at the exact time of the incident, did not have right of 
way on the road; 
7) The driver did not flee from the scene of the incident; 


8) The driver was suffering, at the time of incident, a medical emergency such as heart 
attack, stroke, asthma attack, or diabetic shock; and 
9) The driver of the other vehicle has non-functional or lacks head lights, tail lights, 
and other warning devices. 
 
The investigating law enforcer is hereby authorized to confiscate the driver’s license of 
the driver or drivers involved as a temporary preventive suspension measure to ensure road 
safety while such suspension is under automatic review by the license issuing authority. 
 
SECTION 8. Penalties and Liabilities. – The provisions of the Revised Penal Code 
(RPC), as amended by subsequent laws, including Republic Act 10951, and of laws in effect 
on road safety and land transportation, as well as the Civil Code of the Philippines, as amended, 
shall apply in the determination of criminal, civil, and administrative liabilities of this Act. 
 
For the crime of dangerous driving resulting in the death of victim or victims, the 
provisions of Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and corresponding 
punishment, including the factoring in of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, shall 
apply. 
 
For the crime of reckless driving causing unintentional death of victim or victims, the 
provisions of Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and corresponding 
publishment, including the factoring in of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, shall 
apply. 
 
For the crime of terroristic driving, the penal provision of provided for in Republic Act 
11479, specifically Section 4 thereof shall apply and which states the punishment of life 
imprisonment without the benefit of parole and the benefits of Republic Act 10592. 
 
For dangerous driving, reckless driving, suicidal driving, terroristic driving, careless 
driving, impaired driving, and irresponsible custody of vehicle, Chapter Two, Articles 104 to 
111 and Chapter Three, Articles 112 to 113 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, as well as 
the provisions of Republic Act 10951, shall apply, provided further that the exact award of civil 
damages, indemnification, and obligations shall be determined by the proper court. 
 


For driving resulting in the death of any person, the administrative penalty shall be 
permanent disqualification on the issuance of a driver’s license, as well as fines provided in 
Republic Act 10951. 
 
For driving resulting in permanent disability or serious physical injuries suffered by any 
person, the administrative penalty shall be five (5) years suspension of the driver’s license, as 
well as fines provided in Republic Act 10951. 
 
For driving resulting in destruction of property other that the offender’s own vehicle, 
the administrative penalty shall be three (3) years suspension of the driver’s license, as well as 
fines provided in Republic Act 10951. 
 
For driving resulting in traffic congestion lasting over an hour, the administrative 
penalty shall be one (1) year, as well as fines provided in Republic Act 10951. 
 
 
SECTION 9. Translation into Filipino and other Philippine Dialects. – To ensure 
widespread and more effective understanding of this Act by drivers, pedestrians, and other road 
users nationwide, the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino shall translate the text of this Act into 
Filipino, other Philippine languages, and if feasible, Philippine dialects. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provisions or part of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be 
in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, and administrative 
orders or parts thereof inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)  newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,