To help lower the incidence of road mishaps, Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte wants to penalize operators of public utility vehicles who allow their drivers to drive continuously for 12 hours straight or more.
Villafuerte filed House Bill No. 1768 that would also penalize drivers who would work beyond 12 hours non-stop within a 24-hour period, as well as companies or institutions who would allow their drivers to drive on duty without rest and driving shifts.
“One factor of road accidents is driver fatigue — more specifically, drowsiness. Long drives can be especially dangerous, as drivers are prone to doze off and lose concentration, mostly during night,” he said.
The lawmaker said passenger buses would commit such dangerous practice just to cater to popular tourist destinations that are six to 13 hours away by land from Metro Manila.
Under HB 1768, travel by land of a person or persons and transport of goods for trips exceeding 12 hours from the point of origin to end of destinations shall be allowed for as long as the motor vehicle is operated by drivers in shifting schedules during duty.
He also filed HB No. 4652 to legalize the services of motorcycles-for-hire as public utility vehicles and put in place measures to ensure the safety of their passengers.
