Aquino signs law vs. drunk, drugged drivers

PRESIDENT Benigno C. Aquino III signed into law Republic Act No. 10586, or an Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs, and Other Similar Substances.

RA 10568, which was signed on May 27, seeks to promote safe and responsible driving, as well as curb motor vehicle accidents.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the new law now mandates driver’s education to cover part of either — to get a license and for renewals.

“The driver’s education should now include the course on the information relative to safe driving, including the consequences of driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of the aforementioned substances,” she explained.

Law enforcement agencies are now empowered under the new law to conduct field sobriety, chemical, and confirmatory tests.

If the law enforcement officer feels that there is any indication that the driver is under the influence of the relevant substances, the officer may ask the driver to undertake a sobriety test.

If the officer also feels that the driver has failed a sobriety test, the driver can be subjected to the use of a “breathalyzer” to determine the alcoholic content of his/her body at that particular time.

Valte said RA 10568 also mandates the mandatory alcohol and chemical testing of drivers involved in motor vehicular accidents.

The new law stated that offenders who have not caused any physical injury or homicide shall be fined from P20,000 to P80,000 and face three months imprisonment.

The fines get heavier too — from P100,000 to P200,00 and imprisonment from three months to 12 years if the violation results in physical injury.