With the Anti-drunk and Drugged Driving Law already in effect since last month, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has ordered all law enforcers to clamp down and penalize drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal substances.

This prompted the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to set aside Php23.4 million to arm the enforcers with equipment to determine whether or not a driver is intoxicated beyond the limit of the law.

The LTO Bids and Awards Committee has put up a contract for 150 alcohol breath analyzers with a budget of Php23.08 million along with 150 units of drug testing kits budgeted at Php330,000 up for grabs for interested suppliers.  Bidding begins August 26, 2014.

Holders of non-professional driver’s licenses must have a blood alcohol level below 0.05 while drivers of public utility vehicles, trucks and motorcycles must not have any alcohol in their blood.

Those caught breaking Republic Act 10586 face serious penalties ranging from three months to 20 years imprisonment and fines of Php20,000 up to Php500,000. 

There is also the possibility of a one-year suspension of the one’s non-professional driver’s license for the first offense and perpetual revocation for the second offense.  Drivers with a professional license though will lose their license forever on the first offense.

The LTO, under this law, is authorized to conduct random drug and alcohol testing on public utility drivers at bus stations and transport terminals around the country.  Also if an accident involving a public utility driver results in death or physical injury, the driver is automatically subjected to a drug and alcohol test.

Private drivers suspected of ‘driving under the influence’ will undergo an initial series of physical tests.  It includes the ‘eye test,’ ‘walk-and-turn test’ and ‘one-leg stand test.’

Fail any of these and the driver, if he seems to be drunk, will have to deal with an alcohol breath analyzer or if he appears under the influence of drugs will be brought to the nearest police station for drug testing.  If found positive on either, the driver will be arrested and the vehicle impounded.