Republic Act No. 10916, or the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, mandates the installation of speed limiters in specific vehicles like public utility vehicles, closed vans, and tanker trucks. It aims to enhance road safety by preventing speed-related accidents. This law ensures that vehicles cannot exceed a set speed, thus protecting passengers and the general public.
If you have ever wondered why some vehicles on the road stick to a certain speed limit, then you partly have this law to thank for. It helps make our roads safer by controlling the speed of certain types of vehicles. Without this law, there would likely be more accidents, leading to more injuries, fatalities, and property damage. Compliance with this law not only ensures safer roads but also avoids hefty fines, license suspensions, and vehicle impoundment for drivers and vehicle owners. Having said that, let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.
What is RA 10916?
RA 10916, or the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, is a law in the Philippines requiring the installation of speed limiters in certain vehicles like public utility vehicles, closed vans, and tanker trucks. A speed limiter is a device that keeps a vehicle from going over a certain speed. The purpose of this law is to prevent speed-related accidents, which are a significant cause of injuries and fatalities on the road. By limiting the maximum speed these vehicles can reach, the law aims to enhance road safety for all.
The history of RA 10916 stems from the increasing number of road accidents in the Philippines due to speeding. Recognizing the urgent need for preventive measures, the government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other agencies, pushed for this legislation. The law was enacted in 2016 as part of a broader effort to improve road safety and reduce the high incidence of traffic accidents in the country.
Reasons for Creating RA 10916
RA 10916 was primarily created to address the growing concern over road safety in the Philippines. The primary goal of this law is to reduce the number of accidents caused by speeding, which can result in severe injuries, fatalities, and property damage. By mandating speed limiters in specific vehicles, the law aims to create safer roads for everyone.
1. Increase in Speed-Related Accidents
- Speeding has been identified as a major factor in road accidents.
- These accidents often result in significant injuries and fatalities.
2. Enhance Public Safety
- The law aims to protect passengers and pedestrians from speed-related crashes.
- It ensures that vehicles operate within safe speed limits.
3. Preventive Measure
- Proactively addresses potential road hazards before they lead to accidents.
- Encourages responsible driving behavior among drivers of large vehicles.
4. Standardization and Compliance
- Sets clear standards for speed limiter devices to be installed in vehicles.
- Ensures uniform enforcement of speed limits across the country.
5. Reduce Traffic Violations
- Aims to decrease the number of traffic violations related to overspeeding.
- Helps in maintaining order and safety on the roads.
What Vehicles Are Covered?
Not all vehicles need to have speed limiters. The law specifically targets:
- Closed Vans: Large vehicles with enclosed cargo spaces, used for carrying goods.
- Haulers or Cargo Trailers: Vehicles designed to transport heavy or oversized loads.
- Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs): These include buses, minibuses, and other vehicles used for public transport.
- Shuttle Services: Vehicles provided by companies to transport employees or clients.
- Tanker Trucks: Trucks designed to carry liquids or hazardous materials like gas or oil.
However, the law does not cover taxicabs and public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
Key Provisions
The Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, lays out specific requirements and standards to ensure road safety in the Philippines and mandating the installation of speed limiters in designated vehicles is only one of the provisions of the law. Here’s a complete list of tha main clauses of RA 10916:
1. Mandatory Installation of Speed Limiters
- All covered vehicles, such as public utility vehicles, closed vans, and tanker trucks, must have speed limiters installed.
- The speed limiters must meet the standards set by the DOTr.
2. No Speed Limiter, No Registration
- Vehicles without the required speed limiters cannot be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
- It cannot be granted a franchise by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) either.
3. Accreditation of Manufacturers, Installers, and Testing Facilities
- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the DOTr will accredit manufacturers, installers, and testing facilities for speed limiters.
- These entities must comply with specific standards to receive accreditation.
4. Inspection, Enforcement, and Adjudication
- Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) from LTO and LTFRB have the authority to inspect vehicles for compliance.
- Non-compliance can result in fines, license suspension, and vehicle impoundment.
- The vehicle will only be released after the fines are paid, and the speed limiter is properly installed or recalibrated.
5. Penalties for Violations
- Drivers and vehicle owners can face fines without functioning speed limiters. The fines applied are as follows:
- First Offense: A fine of PHP 50,000 and a suspension of the driver’s license for one month or the vehicle’s franchise for three months.
- Second Offense: A fine of PHP 50,000 and revocation of the driver’s license or suspension of the vehicle’s franchise for six months.
- Third and Subsequent Offenses: A fine of PHP 50,000 and revocation of the driver’s license or suspension of the vehicle’s franchise for one year.
- Tampering with Speed Limiters: A fine of PHP 30,000 and imprisonment for six months to three years.
- Using Falsified Documents: A fine of PHP 30,000 and imprisonment for six months to three years.
- Vehicles without functioning speed limiters will be impounded until the fines are paid and the devices are installed or fixed.
- Repeated offenses can lead to license revocation and longer suspensions of vehicle franchises.
6. Prevention of Tampering
- Tampering with speed limiters is strictly prohibited and punishable by fines and imprisonment.
- Tampered or malfunctioning speed limiters result in immediate vehicle impoundment.
Video: Road Safety Advocacy
Republic Act No. 10916, also known as the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, is one of the many laws designed and implemented in the Philippines to enhance road safety. To learn more about how this law works, what it entails, and how it helps prevent speed-related accidents for safer roads for everyone, then you’d want to watch this video from LTO NCR East.
Summary
RA 10916, or the “Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016,” is an essential law for road safety in the Philippines. By requiring speed limiters in specific vehicles, it helps reduce accidents caused by speeding. Understanding this law helps us appreciate the efforts to make our roads safer for everyone.