Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

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onre: 0.6 JUN 2076 %

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
___ Regular Session

House Bill No__ 6516

Introduced by Rep, EVELIO R. LEONARDIA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.
Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Nodding off even for a fraction of a second behind the wheel has deadly
consequences. While it’s difficult to tack a number onto just how many traffic
accidents occur as a result of drowsy driving (there are about 90,000 road
accidents in the Philippines every year), in the United States, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 6,000 people are
killed every year in vehicle accidents blamed on an exhausted driver. The figure is
second only to fatal accidents due to drunk-driving and ahead of those attributed
to driver distractions like texting.

According to positivelycoffee.org, research undertaken for the UK Department
of Transport showed that one in 10 crashes is due to drivers nodding off, which is
twice the number of accidents caused by speeding.

Road accidents are currently the fourth leading cause of death in the
Philippines, and according to Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTC) Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin, ‘might become the main cause of
mortality in 2020."

To combat sleepiness and fatigue, some drivers resort to turning on the radio
full blast, or rolling down the windows in the hope of fighting off sleep. But these
measures are largely ineffective. Drinking coffee or something else with caffeine
can help, but the effects vary by individual.

Hence, this Bill seeks to construct a modern and safe parking lot and/or park
with resting and comfort rooms for drivers to pull over to, wherein they can take a
nap or rest for a while. Driver’s Rest Areas (DRA) should be scattered around
Local Government Units with a DRA every 50-km distance. The facility would stop
the haphazard parking of vehicles along the roads, enable drivers to have enough
rest after or before continuing a trip; and would put measures in place to address
the growing traffic accidents in the Country.

As such, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

ff —

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
___ Regular Session

House Bill No.. 6516

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR DRIVER’S REST AREA IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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 “Driver's Rest Area Act
of 2016”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. it is the declared policy of the State to 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 3. Driver's Rest Area, Defined. Driver's Rest Area or DRA for the
purpose of this Act, shall refer to a public facility, located next to a large
thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or city road at which drivers and
passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads.
Facilities may include park-like areas, fuel stations, restrooms, and restaurants. In
some areas, the DRA may only consist solely of an exit from the highway that
leads to a roadway with paved shoulders, where drivers can rest, look at their
maps, or use cell phones.

Section 4. Coverage. The DRAs shall be constructed or established next to a
large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or city road, with one DRA
constructed or established in every 50 kilometer-distance.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of
Department of Public Works and Highways and the Secretary of the Department
of Interior and Local Government in consultation with the heads and leaders of
duly recognized organizations of the iocal government, shail promuigate the rules
and regulations to implement this Act.

Section 6. Budget, The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter, and/or to initiate expropriation when necessary.

Section 7. Separability Clause. If any part, section or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected therein shall
remain in force and effect.


Section 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,