AS THE Christmas season draws near and parties are expected to be held left and right, the Land Transportation Office in Davao Region (LTO-11) cautioned drivers against driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages to prevent vehicular accidents.
Benjamin Antonio, chief of LTO-11 Law Enforcement Unit, said in an interview Thursday, November 22, that they are strengthening their campaign against drunk driving.
Under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, if driving under the influence of alcohol did not result in physical injuries or homicide, the penalty of three months' imprisonment, and a fine ranging from P20,000 to P80,000 shall be imposed.
However, if the violation of Section 5 resulted in physical injuries, a fine of P100,000 to P200,000 shall be imposed; if the violation of Section 5 resulted in homicide, the fine ranges from P300,000 to P500,000; and the non-professional driver's license of any person found to have violated Section 5 of this Act shall also be confiscated and suspended for a period of 12 months for the first conviction and perpetually revoked for the second conviction.
Antonio said they will deploy personnel in strategic areas and at night when drunk drivers are rampant.
He underscored the importance of having a license and having the vehicle registered because violation would further pile up should they fail to show documents.
Section 6 of the Act states that a law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that a person is driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other substances by apparent indications and manifestations, including overspeeding, weaving, lane straddling, sudden stops, swerving, poor coordination or the evident smell of alcohol in a person's breath or signs of use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances, shall conduct field sobriety tests.
He reminded those who plan to go to parties to leave their vehicles at home instead or if they get drunk, just park their vehicles near the area and just get it the next day when they are already sober.
From January to November this year, he said there were 16 violators. Five were charged and the court has meted their penalties.
