Why You Should Never Drive While Under The Influence and Why You Should Buckle Up

Never Drive Drunk

Photo from Joselino Luna’s Facebook Page

By now, you already know the viral video wherein a black Toyota Corolla Altis is counterflowing in an expressway. You don’t need to be a valedictorian to know that this is wrong. As a matter of fact it’s a no brainer that counterflowing is a bad idea, most especially if you’re doing it in an expressway. I’m pretty sure this article won’t change the imprudent in a snap, nevertheless, this should be a warning to all of you who are driving.

The whole event started when Joselino Luna was travelling at Skyway. He then saw the oncoming black Toyota Corolla Altis, but despite his efforts in avoiding the black Corolla Altis, the oncoming car still seemed to ignore him, as he didn’t apply the brakes. What’s worse is that, well, the driver of the Corolla was drunk. He doesn’t even have the initiative or the sympathy to acknowledge his responsibility, pure evidence that he was drunk, according to an interview conducted by C! magazine on a witness who does not want to be identified. The driver of the Corolla Altis, identified as Paul Joseph Deslate, didn’t even care about the whole situation.

The horrifying part about this situation is the fact that the Anti Drunk Driving and Drugged Act hasn’t been implemented yet, therefore Paul Joseph Deslate will only be charged for Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Injury and Damage to Property, but Joselino Luna wasn’t heavily injured, and was even able to walk away from the crash, therefore Paul Joseph Deslate will have to pay a fine not exceeding P200, as only damage to property applies.

Now, if the Anti Drunk Driving and Drugged Act has now been implemented, Mr. Deslate won’t simply walk away from the incident. Being a first time offender, but was able to inflict injury unto others, Mr. Deslate shall pay a fine of P100,000 to P200,000, and have his license suspended for 12 months. The law has now been signed by the President Noynoy Aquino, but the law will only be implemented by the end of the year.

Always Wear Your Seatbelts

Photo From Joselino Luna’s Facebook Page

Of note in this accident will be the victim’s car, a Mazda 2. Despite being a head on collision, Joselino Luna only sustained minor injuries. The Mazda 2 is well designed for a subcompact car, if safety is to be concerned, but imagine, what if Joselino Luna wasn’t wearing his seatbelt? At a combined speed of around 140 km/h, he would be thrown out of the window if he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Let this be a warning to everyone who does not wear their seatbelt, moreover to the ones who are influencing people to stop wearing their seatbelt. If someone, even a friend of yours, is influencing you not to wear your seatbelt, then let them be. When the time definitely comes that someone crashes head-on to you, you will surely regret not wearing your seatbelt. Laziness is not an excuse, nor coolness is, and being labelled as a “bada**” for not wearing one.

The Rest Of The Anti Drunk Driving and Drugged Act 

SEC. 5. Punishable Act. – It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.

(a) If the violation of Section 5 did not result in physical injuries or homicide, the penalty of three (3) months imprisonment, and a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000.00) to Eighty thousand pesos (Php80,000.00) shall be imposed;

(b) If the violation of Section 5 resulted in physical injuries, the penalty provided in Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code or the penalty provided in the next preceding subparagraph, whichever is higher, and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000.00) shall be imposed;

(c) If the violation of Section 5 resulted in homicide, the penalty provided in Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code and a fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) shall be imposed; and

(d) The nonprofessional 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 twelve (12) months for the first conviction and perpetually revoked for the second conviction. The professional driver’s license of any person found to have violated Section 5 of this Act shall also be confiscated and perpetually revoked for the first conviction. The perpetual revocation of a driver’s license shall disqualify the person from being granted any kind of driver’s license thereafter.

Video Of The Crash: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153186878010427&set=vb.613960426&type=2&theater

Why You Should Wear Your Seatbelt

References

The Official Gazette: Author Unkown (2013). Republic Act No. 10586. Retrieved September 4, 2013 at http://www.gov.ph/2013/05/27/republic-act-no-10586/