RECENTLY, I read from a national daily that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a 90-day preventive suspension against a motorcycle rider for driving on a public road while using his cellphone and appearing to be on a video call.
In a statement, the LTO said that “Using a cellphone while driving — especially while on a video call — is extremely dangerous not only for the driver but for all road users, and it is against the law,” LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said speaking Filipino.
Here in Dumaguete, I see a lot of drivers doing this but I’m not sure why it is as if, it’s okay, nobody seems to be bothered by it, not even traffic enforcers.
Driving already takes a lot of patience and focus. Every trip puts you in the middle of controlled chaos: tricycle units stopping whenever passengers wave them down, motorcycles squeezing through tight spaces, pedestrians crossing wherever they can, others tricycles and cars crawling along the curb, and potholes that seem to appear overnight after a heavy rain.
It’s a lot to handle. Now add a cellphone into the picture—texting, scrolling, or worse, video calling—and it’s no longer just distraction. It becomes a real danger.
It only takes one moment
Using your phone while driving doesn’t just occupy your hands—it steals your attention. Your eyes leave the road. Your mind leaves the moment. At 60 km/h, looking down at your phone for just three seconds means your car keeps moving the length of a basketball court while you’re practically blind.
Anything can happen in that time: a car can slam its brakes, a motorcycle can suddenly overtake you, or a child can run across the street. When you finally look up, there may be no time left to react.
Video calls are even riskier. They demand your eyes, your reactions, and your emotions. Instead of watching traffic lights (if there are any) or side mirrors, you’re watching a face on a screen. No meeting update, no “kadyot lang,” no personal call is worth that kind of risk.
“Anad na ko” isn’t protection
Many drivers tell themselves they can handle it. “Dali ra ni.” “Motubag ra ko.” But distraction doesn’t come with a warning. It slowly dulls your reflexes and narrows your awareness. Even seasoned drivers aren’t immune. In fact, being too familiar with the road can make people careless—confident enough to think nothing will go wrong, until it does.
That’s why the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (RA 10913) was passed. It clearly bans texting, calling, video chatting, gaming, and browsing while driving—even when stopped at traffic lights. The fines and penalties aren’t meant to hassle drivers; they’re meant to prevent accidents before they happen and to protect everyone on the road.
Your choice affects others
When you look at your phone while driving, you’re not the only one at risk. Your passengers trust you to bring them home safely. The motorcyclist beside you has no protection. The pedestrian crossing the street is counting on you to stay alert. One careless moment can lead to injuries, loss, or regret that lasts a lifetime.
Be present. Be responsible.
If a message is important, pull over. If a call can’t wait, park safely first. Turn on “Do Not Disturb While Driving.” Let people know you’ll respond when you arrive. These small habits don’t slow you down—they protect lives.
Driving deserves your full attention. On Philippine roads, where anything can happen in a heartbeat, the smartest choice is simple — the phone can wait. Lives cannot.
