A Quantitative Research of Assessment on the Anti-Distracted Driving Act Among Public Utility Vehicle in Tuguegarao City

Abstract

The Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 10913, or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA), which was implemented in May 2017 strictly prohibits all motorists, including Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, from using mobile communication devices or electronic entertainment gadgets while driving or even during temporary stops at traffic signals. With regard to this, the study assessed the level of awareness and implementation of Republic Act No. 10913, also known as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA), among public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and law enforcers in Tuguegarao City.

The research employed a quantitative descriptive design. Data were gathered from driver-respondents selected through stratified proportional random sampling across 49 barangays, and law enforcement personnel from the PNP-Highway Patrol Group and Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) through total enumeration. Statistical tools used included weighted mean, frequency, percentage, one-way ANOVA, and tests of difference.

Additionally, the study revealed that while PUV drivers generally possess a high level of awareness regarding the law's main prohibitions, their compliance often drops during stationary stops at traffic lights. Results indicated significant differences in awareness levels when respondents were grouped by age, educational attainment, and driving experience.

Law enforcers demonstrated high institutional commitment to implementation, yet drivers experienced only "moderate street-level deterrence," suggesting a gap between legal knowledge and behavioral compliance. Enforcement is hindered by resource constraints, including manpower shortages, lack of monitoring equipment (such as CCTV and dash cams), and difficulties in detecting violations.

As such, effective implementation requires aligning the perspectives of enforcers and drivers while augmenting manual enforcement with technology. Proposed measures include the establishment of a Road Safety Task Force, increased enforcement deployment, city-wide awareness campaigns, and the procurement of monitoring equipment to enhance visibility and equity in enforcement.