Don’t vlog and drive, LTFRB tells PUV drivers

Vlogging and drinking could be a dangerous mix too. That is as far as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is concerned as it urged drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to refrain from driving and vlogging at the same time. LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza said they have already crafted a memorandum circular for the PUV operators reiterating their responsibility to remind their drivers to prioritize the safety and welfare of their passengers at all times. This, after the LTFRB social media monitoring team noticed that the number of PUV drivers producing real-time social media content has been increasing, and in some cases, the vlogging happens even if there are passengers on board. The LTFRB social media team is responsible for monitoring viral videos and complaints in relation to PUVs which are later being used in the issuance of show cause orders (SCOs). “We call on both the operators and drivers to be mindful of this law not only for the safety of all the people on board the PUV but also to all the other road users,” said Mendoza. “Let us be mindful of the safety of our passengers and all our road users. Everybody knows that even a split-second of distraction can result in fatal road crashes,” added. In the memorandum circular, it stressed that vlogging, content creation and engaging on social media all fall under violation of the Republic Act No. 10913, or the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act” The law was enacted to safeguard the public from road crashes that stem from use of mobile communications devices and electronic entertainment and computing devices while driving. Mendoza said those actions do not only violate existing laws and rules and regulations on road safety but also defeat the spirit of the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act”, adding that the law was crafted and signed into law specifically to protect drivers and all road users from injuries and deaths as a result of road crashes. He said such acts constitute extreme forms of distracted driving that blatantly compromise the safety of the riding public, pedestrians, and other road users. Mendoza added that such actions are also in violation of the fundamental condition of every Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) to prioritize public safety and convenience. The memorandum circular, once implemented, imposes a P5,000 penalty for PUV drivers who would be caught vlogging and creating content and engaging in social media. Mendoza said they are now finalizing the memorandum circular and will inform the PUV operators of its implementation once the protocol is completed such as publication to newspapers with general circulation.