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by Jerry Liao, Philippines
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100,000 pesos per text message
Sep 25, 2008 20:57You may wonder why a text message (SMS) would cost someone 100,000 pesos when one text message is worth only 1 peso here in the Philippine or even lower due to various promo programs. Even in other countries, I don't think one text message can come close to 100,000 pesos (US$2,222) per message. Here in the Philippines, it will.
A bill was filed in the Philippine Congress (House Bill No. 4917) proposing to penalize those who will use their mobile phones while driving. This includes texting, voice communication or even handsfree usage.
Once caught, the guilty party will be jailed of up to six months and fined 100,000 pesos maximum.
Exempted from the bill are law enforcers, ambulances and members of the press.
Using mobile phones while driving came in 12th as the most common cause of traffic accidents here in the Philippines in 2006 since it takes away the driver's concentration while driving.
I am for this bill, although I do use my mobile phone even while driving. The only problem I can think of right now are vehicles that are heavily tinted. How can law enforcers know what's happening inside a car that is heavily tinted? Should we prohibit cars to have tinted windows as well?
This is still a pending bill and I am sure a lot of debates and discussions will transpire. I do hope it becomes a law soon. Safety first before anything.
When you drive, do not text. When you text, do not drive.
God bless us all!
- Talkback
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This is unbelievable and stupid! I realize that governments have to enact laws in the interest of everyone's safety but come on! The bill's too restrictive and lax at the same time. While people are prohibited from using their phones altogether, even with a handsfree system, an exemption has been made for certain people. Now, I don't know what the basis was for ascertaining whether or not local law enforcement and members of the media are above being unsafe drivers when using their phones while behind the wheel.
Now, I've got nothing against members of the media but the whole press exemption thing has already been abused in the past by people who've got connections. Also, I'm not against having a law that will largely be for everyone's good but they should at least review the restrictions and exemptions before passing it.
Sending and reading text messages and dialing or using the phone are obviously unsafe. But to go so far as banning handsfree systems altogether is just being shortsighted. They might as well require everyone to wear helmets and drive alone and not listen to the radio or to engage in conversation with passengers if any are still allowed.
Just for the record, I'm not bashing on this bill because I use a handsfree system. I'm doing this because I believe if the government's doing in the interest of public safety then they should at least do it right and not give local law enforcement another reason to extort bribes from the people. It is unfortunate that's how it is in the Philippines but it's one of those things that just doesn't seem to get addressed.
Sep 26, 2008 01:27
Devlin: Interesting points. I am going to write about this in my column here in the Philippines and I will definitely include your views. God Bless!
Sep 26, 2008 08:15
hello jerry liao hope u can help me, in my desire to have my own website in the internet 4 free
thanks,
rosa
cute5rose@yahoo,com
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Sep 26, 2008 08:39
What if your just reading the text msg while driving just to check if its important enough to reply too, Will they arrest your for that? Will it help if you stop and pullover to the side and attend to your call or msgs, will they still arrest you? i can see a new form of corruption thru this. How strick or lenient will this law be?
Sep 26, 2008 15:45
@edghami: actually that is what they are advising motorist. If there's an important message or call to attend to - pullover. My question is what if am in a traffic? The car is not moving - can I read my messages or make some calls?
Sep 26, 2008 21:58
Wouldn't that create more traffic problems specially during rush hour, that many people will be pulling over to the side just to answer an important call or txt msg? I think they should delay this law and think it over, a lot.
Sep 29, 2008 14:41
@edghami: what side? hehe. our roads here don't have that provision. We don't even have a bike lane. I don't think motorists will bother to pull over. They will just hide their phones and text without looking. Which brings me to another concern - what about cars with TV? I think this should be prohibited as well.
Sep 29, 2008 18:35
Well, you know we have the yellow lane for buses specially in EDSA. But as u said they won't bother to pull over, but cops would definitely pull you over when this law takes effect. As for the TV? i think its ok as long as the driver seat doesn't have one. However i went to the recent CAMPI motor show i saw the new SUV of Isuzu that has TV on all seats, large one at the back about 28" i think, small ones at the middle seats about 10", and a smaller one about 4" at the front. How do you deal with that? ban the car or arrest the person driving it? if caught watching.
Sep 30, 2008 08:25
About Jerry Liao
Jerry Liao is an IT consultant in the Philippines who conducts seminars on various tech topics. He is a regular columnist of Manila Bulletin, a member of the academe, a system developer and a system analyst. He is a frequent fixture in press conferences and tech launchings, most of which are posted at infochat.com.ph. He loves to tinker with the latest gadgets and gizmos, but his most cherish possession are his children.
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