The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will be implementing the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act” on Thursday banning the use of cellular phones while driving a motor vehicle in Bohol and the rest of the country.

According to Erwin Patalinghug, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Tagbilaran chief, the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have been released by the DOTr.

Based on the IRR, motorists are no longer allowed to use mobile communication devices, read text-based communication and use cellphones for calls while driving.

Vehicles used for agriculture and construction such as tractors and bulldozers are also covered by the law once these travel on public roads.

Motorists making emergency calls will be exempted depending on the validity of the reason.

As stipulated in Republic Act 10913, first-time offenders will be fined P5,000; second, P10,000; and third, P15,000 with three-month license suspension.

Fourth time violators will be slapped with a P-20,000 fine while their licenses will be revoked.

Owners and operators of vehicles driven by violators will also be liable unless they are able to prove that their employees have been fully informed on the law.

Meanwhile, the LTO will continue its information campaign on the RA to further explain its guidelines, said Patalinghug.

The LTO official also noted that they have distributed leaflets as part of the information drive.

The Anti-Distracted Driving Act was first imposed in May but was immediately suspend several days after.

This was due to a review of the legislation’s guidelines amid flak and confusion on its rules. (AD)