Of Navigation Apps and Dashcams : A Quick Guide to the Anti-distracted Driving Law

The announcement that the Anti-distracted Driving Act will finally be enforced this week (today actually!) was met with a lot of questions from drivers, especially those that use navigation apps and other gadgets such as dash cameras.  If you read our previous article on this topic or have seen the news articles in the internet, you already have an idea of the exorbitant fees that will be charged anyone caught violating the law.  Quite obviously, the clamor for answers and clarifications was driven by the rather shocking fees you will have to pay if you so much as looked at your beeping phone while sitting behind the wheel.

We ran a research to find out what the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has to say about these questions.  We hope the following details gathered from the internet will help clear things out and set every driver’s mind at ease.

1.On the use of navigation apps installed on smartphones.

Question: Does this mean I could no longer use navigation apps while driving?

Answer: According to the LTO, drivers are still allowed to use these smartphone-based apps provided:

• The driver sets the app BEFORE driving.
• Uses a speaker to listen to the directions instead of looking at the smartphone screen.
• Pulls over if he needs to reset his destination.

2. On the use of a mobile phone mount.

Question: Are mobile phone mounts included in the prohibitions?

Answer: No, for as long as the phone and the mount do not obstruct the driver’s view.

3. On the use of dash cameras.

Question: Should I now get rid of my dashcam?

Answer: Dashcams are allowed.  Just place it behind the rearview mirror so that, again, it does not obstruct the driver’s line of sight.

4. On the use of earphones while driving.

Question: Earphones are hands-free devices, am I allowed to use this while driving?

Answer: Yes but only to make or receive calls.  You should not use it to listen to music while on the road.

5. On heavily tinted cars whose drivers think they can “get away with it”.

Question: How will they know I’m using my mobile, they can’t see me!

Answer: This just in: The Department of Transportation now uses high-definition cameras that can detect light coming from devices inside heavily tinted cars.  Plus, enforcers are well-trained to distinguish if a driver is distracted by merely observing the car’s movement.

The law covers public and private vehicles, including bicycles, motorcycles, motorcycle taxis, “kalesas” or any other animal-driven wagons or carts.  Yes, no one is exempted, not even vehicles owned by the government.  According to the LTO Chief, violators can raise their contentions during the hearing at the LTO.  That simply means that enforcers will not let erring drivers slide and skedaddle without a violation ticket, no questions asked.

There you have it!  If you have other questions, feel free to post it here and we’ll try our best to dig deeper and find the answers for you.

Have a safe trip!

Reference: www.cnnphilippines.com

 

What Is Compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance?

All car owners are required by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to secure a Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance upon registering their car.

Some questions that most first-time vehicle owners ask about CTPL are:

• Why do I need a CTPL?
• Who are covered by the CTPL?  Who is the ‘third party’?
• Is the basic CTPL from the LTO enough to cover our car insurance needs?
• How is the CTPL different from a comprehensive car insurance?

To help us appreciate the value of maintaining a CTPL insurance for our vehicles, below are the details of its benefits and why the government mandates that all vehicles be covered with one.

1. A CTPL protects ‘third parties’ from the possible damages that may arise from an accident involving the insured vehicle.  A car cannot be without this type of insurance coverage as it is required by law.
2. ‘Third parties’, as defined under Section 373, Chapter VI of the Insurance Code of the Philippines, are the following:
   • Any person other than a passenger;
   • Not a member of the household, or a member of the family within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of the vehicle owner;
   • Not his employee in respect to death, bodily injury, or damage to property arising out of and in the course of employment.
   • The vehicle owner’s friends and other persons who are not his relatives but are riding in his car are considered third parties, not passengers.
   • A ‘third party’ may either be inside or outside your car.
   • A passenger of a public utility vehicle becomes a ‘third party’ the moment he alights from the vehicle.
3. ‘Passengers’ are defined the Insurance Code of the Philippines as:
   • Any fare paying person being transported and conveyed in and by a motor vehicle for transportation of passengers for compensation;
   • Persons expressly authorized by law or by the vehicle’s operator or his agent to ride without fare;
4. The CTPL covers the car owner’s legal responsibility over the third party’s injury or death resulting from an accident involving the insured vehicle.  This means that the insurance will provide immediate financial assistance to the victim and his dependents while discharging the vehicle owner from liabilities.  All these shall be provided for regardless of the car owner’s financial capacity.  The current CTPL coverage is Php 100,000.00.
5. Comprehensive car insurances have wider coverage than CTPL.  It includes insurance against damages and liabilities caused by collisions, fire, acts of God or nature, personal accident insurance of the passenger, and car theft.  Some insurances provide financial assistance for car repairs, regular maintenance check-ups, and roadside assistance.  It also costs more to acquire a comprehensive car insurance; it is optional, not mandated by law.

Make sure that your CTPL policy is genuine and updated.  Avoid entrusting your car registration documents to fixers and individuals posing as liaison officers for the LTO.  This is one important errand you need to get done personally to be sure that your vehicle is properly and legitimately registered and provided with a CTPL insurance.

Sources:

http://pinoyinsure.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-is-compulsory-third-party.html

http://business.inquirer.net/190568/is-car-insurance-a-necessity