Making strides towards the road safety of Filipinos, the House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 8914, which provides for stiffer penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and other similar substances.
The bill would amend Republic Act 10586 or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.”
It garnered 203 affirmative votes.
Violators causing road accidents that did not result in physical injuries or homicide would be penalized with six months of imprisonment.
When signed into law, individuals who would cause road accidents that did not result in physical injuries or homicide would be penalized with six months of imprisonment and a fine of P50,000 to P100,000, from the present penalties of three-month imprisonment and P20,000 to P80,000 fine.
Violations that resulted in physical injuries would correspond to the maximum period of imprisonment stipulated in Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines and a fine of P150,000 to P250,000.
Meanwhile, those that resulted in homicide would be penalized with the maximum period of imprisonment stated in Article 246 of the Revised Penal Code and a fine of P350,000 to P550,000.
The non-professional driver’s license of convicted persons would be confiscated and suspended for 18 months.
The proposal also provides that the non-professional driver’s license of convicted persons would be confiscated and suspended for 18 months for the initial conviction and revoked for the second conviction.
On the other hand, the professional driver’s license of a violator would be perpetually revoked for the first conviction.