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Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) released the revised set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA). The ADDA's IRR was published on June 21, 2017. Hence, it will be implemented on July 6, 2017.
While we wait for the DOTr to get the ADDA's rollout in order, how about we brush up on the law's dos and don'ts? We were present for a live demonstration by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) assistant secretary Edgar Galvante on proper smartphone placement under the ADDA. The main takeaway: The top of your device must not be more than four inches higher than the edge of your dashboard.
In secretary Galvante's own words: "Basta ang measure niyan is from the edge of the dashboard to the upper edge of the apparatus that's going to be placed, yun ang limitation. Four inches measured from the top of the dashboard to the upper edge of the instrument."
But note that the LTO also said it will not split hairs about those four inches. If your device is not in the line of sight, it should be fine. Time will tell how traffic enforcers interpret this fine line.
Having trouble visualizing it? Just watch the short video of the live demo above.
NOTE: This story has been updated on June 21, 2017 to reflect the IRR's publication and ADDA's implementation dates.
