To promote and practice fairness on the road, a bill protecting innocent and non-accountable drivers against "Kamote" drivers filed in the House of Representatives.
The Anti-Kamote Driver bill is also known as the House Bill (HB) No. 10679 or the proposed Defensive Driving Act of 2024.
The Anti-Kamote Driver bill was filed by PBA party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles and Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario in an attempt to amend Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code.
The modifications under article 124 tries to insert a provision preventing the detention of non-accountable motorists who are involved in road accidents provided that they can show proof that they are not at fault.
These proof of non-accountability may be in the form of dashboard camera, recording, or CCTV footage.
For clarification, "Kamote" drivers referred to those reckless and irresponsible drivers who sometimes don't wear safety gears and disregarding traffic rules and laws.
Nograles stated that the Anti-Kamote Driver bill will be able to prevent innocent drivers from being accused and victimized by reckless drivers and unfair legal process.
She also reiterated that not all drivers can afford bail and pay a good lawyer.
Meanwhile, as to why the Anti-Kamote Driver bill was proposed, Nograles mentioned of the reasons- which was a previous case of a drunk motorcycle driver who passed away last March.
The drunk motorcycle driver died after doing a counterflow on the Skyway Stage 3 northbound lane, particularly near the portion of the Balintawak Interchange going to the North Luzon Expressway.
The report said that the drunk motorcycle driver resulted in a head-on collision with an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV).
Whereas, under current procedures, the AUV driver was the one who received complaints because the rider died.
Fortunately, the AUV driver was eventually freed from custody through a Quezon City prosecutor who dismissed the complaint.
Almario, on the other hand, stand for her own experience saying that it’s unfair that drivers like her are being careful on the road while there are people or motorists who don’t think about their safety and other people.
It was not indicated in the proposed Anti-Kamote Driver bill who would decide on whether to detain a driver or not. As such, the matter is said to be discussed in an upcoming hearing.
Source: GMA News Online, Inquirer.Net
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