Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUL 09 2019 ot

Queson City B30 pH

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

°
House Bit o. 1798

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One factor of road accidents is driver fatigue—more specifically, drowsiness. Long
drives can be especially dangerous as drivers are prone to doze off and lose
concentration, mostly during night. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine even
likened drowsy driving to driving under influence, saying that it "is similar to alcohol
in how it compromises driving ability by reducing alertness". Studies have shown
that at least a quarter of road accidents that happen are due to driver fatigue”.

This bill intends to prevent future road accidents caused by such and hopes to serve
as an encouragement for self-discipline among our citizens by proposing to penalize
continuous driving for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Passenger buses are
especially prone to committing this as they cater to popular tourist destinations that
are 6 to 13 hours away by land transportation. The bill also aims to penalize
companies or institutions that allow their drivers to drive on duty without rest and
driving shifts.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LUIS RAY) D “L mF. af JR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1768

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PENALIZING CONTINUOUS DRIVING DUTY EXCEEDING TWELVE (12)
HOURS IN ANY TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOUR PERIOD

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to secure and safeguard its motorists from the possibility of fatal accidents
caused by unregulated driving. Article Il, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution provides that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection
of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as below:

a) Motor Vehicle — shall mean any land vehicle transportation used to carry
persons or goods, including passenger vehicles such as public utility
vehicles and commercial buses or coaches, and trailers and trucks having
any number of wheels;

b) Driver — shall mean every person operating a motor vehicle and issued a
license by the Land Transportation Office, whether non-professional or
professional;


b) Driver — shall mean every person operating a motor vehicle and issued a
license by the Land Transportation Office, whether non-professional or
professional;

Cc) Owner— shall mean the actual legal owner of a motor vehicle, in whose
such vehicle is duly registered with the Land Transportation Of

SECTION 3. Allowed number of continuous hours to operate a motor
vehicle. — The actual number of hours allowed to operate a motor vehicle
shall not exceed twelve

(12) continuous hours by a single driver on duty in any twenty-four (24) hour period.
Travel by a person or persons and transport of goods for trips exceeding twelve (12)
hours from the point of origin to end of destinations shall be allowed granted that the
motor vehicle is operated by drivers in shifting schedules during duty.

SECTION 4. Penalty for continuous driving exceeding twelve (12) hours. —
A driver or owner in violation of the above act shall be imposed the
following penalties:

A) Driver operating the motor vehicle —

a. First Offense — suspension of the driver's license for up to one (1)
year;

b. Second Offense — suspension of the driver's license for one (1) to
two

(2) years and fine in the amount of fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000);

¢. Third Offense — suspension of the driver's license for two (2) to
three (3) years and prohibition from applying for a new driver's
license for two (2) years.

B) Owner of the motor vehicle used —

a. First Offense — shail be fined the amount of twenty thousand (Php
20,000) to fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000) and suspension of the
franchise or permit thereof for public utility vehicles and commercial
transport vehicles for one (1) to two (2) years;


b. Second Offense — shall be fined the amount of fifty-five thousand (Php
55,000) to seventy-five thousand pesos (Php 75,000) and suspension of
the franchise or permit thereof for public utility vehicles and commercial
transport vehicles for two (2) to three (3) years;

C. Third Offense — shall be fined the amount of eighty thousand (Php
80,000) to one hundred thousand pesos (Php 10,000), suspension of
the franchise or permit thereof for public utility vehicles and
commercial

transport vehicles for two (2) to three (3) years, and prohibition from
applying for a new franchise or permit for two (2) years.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Transportation, in consultation with the Land Transportation Office, Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Trade and Industry,
private sectors, and Local Government Units, shall promulgate the corresponding
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within three (3) months after the effectivity
of this Act.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,