Representative JC Abalos of 4Ps Partylist filed on Tuesday House Bill No. 10128, entitled Philippines Responsible Driving and Accountability Act, aiming to provide fairness in the current traffic laws and encourage responsible road users.

Abalos said, “Historically, there have been cases where drivers were blamed – worse, even put behind bars – despite evidence showing the ones at fault were the other motorists or pedestrians.”

Just this week, an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) driver navigating the Skyway Stage 3 figured in a head-on collision with a motorcycle rider, causing his subsequent death.

CCTV cameras and the AUV’s dash camera showed that the motorcycle rider was illegally counterflowing and that the AUV driver was in the proper traffic flow.

According to reports the motorcycle rider was inebriated, overspeeding, and was not wearing proper riding gear as mandated by law.

However a complaint was still filed against the AUV driver by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

Under the current law, the AUV driver is likely to be detained until he can post bail due to the death of the motorcycle rider, despite overwhelming evidence showing his innocence.

“This bill is a crucial step towards achieving a fair and just legal process for drivers who find themselves falsely accused in road accidents,” stated Abalos. “We want to encourage responsible and accountable road use.”

A similar bill was filed in the 18th Congress by the Honorable Frederick Siao of Iligan City. Abalos’s version incorporates modifications to recognize the rights of law-abiding motorcycle and bicycle riders.