Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.7281

Introduced by HON. AUGUSTINA DOMINIQUE “Ditse Tina” C. PANCHO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the
Philippines, provides for, amongst other, specified the speed limits in the country.
Since it was passed into law in June 20, 1964, it was consequently amended through
Republic Act No. 10930, on August 2, 2017.

In accordance with RA 4136's Section 35, motorists must drive the same with
due care and diligence, at a speed not greater than is rational and suitable, taking into
account again for traffic, the width of the highway, and any numerous different
circumstances after which. This law also states that no person shall continue driving
any motorized vehicle on a highway at such a speed to endanger the life and
possessions of any individual nor at a speed greater than will permit him to do so
safely.

Currently there are varying maximum speed limits, particularly in the seven (7)
major expressways; but the minimum speed limit for all vehicles on Expressways is
60 kilometers per hour (KPH). With safety first in mind, minimum and maximum speed
limits are set to avoid speed dispersions.

Speed dispersion refers to the speed variation at a certain place in a certain
time interval, or the speed variation along a road section. Many studies share that
conclusion that there is a positive relationship between crash severity and speed
dispersion, particularly for such roads like our expressways. It should be underscored
that the literature supports not only the establishment of maximum speed limits relative
to addressing speed dispersion, but also minimum speed limits because crash
involvement rates also rise sharply below average speeds when slow-moving vehicles
impede “the normal and reasonable movement” of traffic.

This is critical transportation safety consideration particularly on high-speed
roads like national toll roads and expressways, which are normally used by vehicles
designed to safely manage higher speeds due to the many developments in
automotive design and technology.

The Law similarly provides for motorist to overtake at the left lane regardless of
specified speed limits. Corollary to this slower moving vehicles are not supposed to


cruise on this lane, again particularly in our toll roads and expressways which have
higher speed limits. However, in reality this is constantly being violated in practice.

There are many left-lane cruisers, who at times are also dangerously oblivious
to the other motorists plying the same route. Often times these lead annoyed and
frustration drivers and encourage other dangerous road attitudes like tailgating,
passing on the right, and road rage.

In consonance with the State policy to prioritize the safety of its citizens by
regulating public transportation and developing effective precautionary policy
measures to prevent accidents and ensure road safety, this Bill is being proposed to
adjust the speed limit in the leftmost or overtaking lane of our toll roads and
expressway.

Adjusting the speed limit on the left outermost lane allows owners of faster

vehicles to maximize quality of travel, avoid speed dispersions, and increase safe flow
of traffic in these high speed Thefefore, the approval of this bjff }s earnestly

‘sought. (]
NIQUE fh Tina” C. PANCHO

AUGUSTINA Di


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No_7281

Introduced by HON. AUGUSTINA DOMINIQUE “Ditse Tina” C. PANCHO

“AN ACT DESIGNATING THE LEFTMOST LANE IN TOLLROADS AND
EXPRESSWAYS AS A SPEED LANE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES THEREOF”

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 “Tollroads and Expressway
Speed Lane Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State policy to
prioritize the safety of its citizens by regulating public transportation and developing
effective precautionary policy measures to prevent accidents and ensure road safety.

Towards this end the State shall develop remedial policies regarding the speed
limit in the leftmost or overtaking lane of our toll roads and expressway, and stronger
penalties against violators to maximize quality of travel, avoid speed dispersions, lower
accident risks, and increase safe flow of traffic in these high speed roads.

SEC. 3. Scope. — This Act shall apply to all national toll roads and expressways.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following shall have the
corresponding meanings:

(a) TOLLROADS/EXPRESSWAYS — shall refer to ALL controlled- access
highway designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and
ingress/egress regulated. The term shall include the North Luton
Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Metro Manila
Skyway (Skyway), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Tarlac-
Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Southern Tagalog Arterial
Road Tollway (STAR Toll), Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and
ALL OTHER controlled-access highway facility which may be
constructed and/or operated within the territorial jurisdiction of the
Philippines.

(o

Passenger Cars — shall mean all 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,

landaulet, closed car, limousine, cabriolet, sports utility vehicles (SUV),
and sedan.

Motor vehicles with changed or rebuilt bodies, such as jeepneys, jitneys,
or station wagons, using a chassis of the usual passenger automobile
type, shall also be classified as passenger automobile, if their net
allowable carrying capacity, as determined by the Land Transportation
Office (LTO), does not exceed the limits allowable under existing
regulations, and if they are not used primarily for carrying freight or
merchandise.

SEC. 5. Maximum Allowable Speed for the Left-Most Lane of
TOLLROADS/EXPRESSWAYS. — The left-most lane on controlled-access
highways shall be considered as a speed lane and maximum allowable speed for
vehicles running the speed lane shall be 130 Kilometer per Hour for passenger cars

and motorcycles. Only passenger cars and motorcycles shall be allowed on the fast
lane.

SEC. 6. 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.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof,
which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,