Harsher penalties urged for distracted PUV drivers

The Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection (LCSP) has called for stricter penalties—including imprisonment—for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers caught using mobile phones while driving, following a viral video showing a Cavite-bound bus driver allegedly using his cellphone during a trip.

“This reckless and dangerous act puts lives at risk and must not be taken lightly,” LCSP said in a statement.

In the video, the driver can be seen repeatedly glancing at his phone. The uploader further claimed the driver appeared to be browsing an online gambling site.

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

Under Republic Act No. 10913 or the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act,” current penalties for distracted driving range from P5,000 for the first offense to P20,000 and license revocation on the fourth. Additional administrative sanctions may be imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), such as franchise suspension or revocation for PUV operators.

But for LCSP, that’s not enough.

“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. This is justified by the sheer number of lives at stake.”

While the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and LTFRB are empowered to issue administrative sanctions, criminal penalties like imprisonment require Congressional action.

“Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the authority to enact these necessary reforms,” 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.”