‘Distracted’ bus driver’s license suspended

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced Monday it has preventively suspended the driver’s license of a bus driver caught on video playing an online game while driving.

LTO acting chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Greg G. Pua Jr. said the 90-day preventive suspension for the Kersteen Joyce Transport bus driver was issued through a show-cause order.

“This driver’s addiction to online gambling seems severe to the point that he jeopardized passenger safety; we will not let this pass,” Pua said, according to a statement from the LTO.

A passenger’s video showed the driver engaged in online gambling while operating the bus on the Silang-Dasma route in Cavite.

Pua said the driver faces charges of reckless driving, a violation of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, and operating a motor vehicle as an improper person. The LTO also asked the bus company to explain why it should not be sanctioned for hiring a reckless driver. The passenger bus has also been placed under alarm.

“Failure to appear and submit written comment/explanation as required shall be construed by this office as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,” the show-cause order read.

Meantime, the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) has strongly condemned the bus driver’s actions, calling the behavior “reckless and dangerous.”

The group urged Congress to revisit and strengthen existing laws, particularly for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, by imposing stricter penalties for distracted driving.

“Such behavior is not only irresponsible but gravely endangers the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users,” LCSP spokesperson Atty. Albert N. Sadili told DAILY TRIBUNE. “LCSP believes that our current legal framework is insufficient to properly address and deter such contemptuous conduct.”

Under Republic Act 10913, the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act,” penalties for using mobile phones while driving are: P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 for the second; P15,000 and a three-month license suspension for the third; and P20,000 with license revocation for the fourth offense.

Sadili cited that while these penalties apply to all drivers, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) can impose additional sanctions on PUV operators, including franchise suspension or revocation for repeated violations.

However, the LCSP argues these penalties are inadequate, especially for PUV drivers responsible for dozens of passengers.

“The gravity of their role necessitates stricter accountability,” Sadili said. “Distracted driving by a PUV driver should not be treated with the same leniency as that of a private motorist. We assert that the law should provide harsher penalties for PUV drivers, including imprisonment of at least six months to one year even for the first offense.”

Sadili also stressed that while the LTO and LTFRB can impose administrative sanctions, criminal penalties like imprisonment require legislative action.

“LCSP earnestly calls upon our legislators to amend Republic Act No. 10913 and introduce stiffer penalties, particularly imprisonment, for PUV drivers who violate this law,” Sadili said. “The duty to ensure commuter safety rests heavily on the shoulders of PUV drivers. Any action that recklessly endangers public safety, such as driving while distracted by mobile devices, should be met with corresponding gravity under the law.”