In the wake of two recent road tragedies—the SCTEX bus crash that killed 12 and the heartbreaking death of a 5-year-old outside NAIA—the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is enforcing a new set of safety regulations aimed at preventing more lives from being lost.
A tourist bus in Pampanga slammed into six vehicles at the Floridablanca toll plaza, with reports stating the driver didn’t even slow down.
Just days earlier, a black SUV suddenly accelerated into a crowd outside NAIA Terminal 1, killing a young girl who had just seen her OFW father off. These incidents have renewed public scrutiny over road safety, driver responsibility, and enforcement gaps.
Mandatory drug tests for PUV drivers
To address driver accountability, the DOTr is now requiring mandatory drug tests for all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers every 90 days.
This is a significant tightening of enforcement—especially after reports emerged that the SCTEX bus driver refused a drug test and was mistakenly not compelled to take one. In reality, under RA 10586, such tests are already required after road accidents involving injury or death.
The aim, according to the DOTr, is early detection of unsafe drivers before they cause harm. “This is a rule meant to protect passengers,” the agency said in a public statement.
Limits on driver fatigue and stricter enforcement of speed
The DOTr is also implementing a 4-hour cap on continuous driving for bus drivers. Operators must assign a backup driver—not just a conductor—if trips exceed this window. This policy is backed by global data showing that fatigue impairs driving performance as much as alcohol does.
Meanwhile, a renewed campaign to strictly enforce the Speed Limiter Law (RA 10916), first passed in 2016, is now underway. Previous implementation was weak, and lawmakers themselves acknowledged the law’s failure due to poor compliance.
A broader national safety plan in motion
The new rules form part of a national safety plan that seeks to cut traffic deaths by 35% by 2028. In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the DOTr is targeting “bad roads, bad cars, and bad habits” through a multi-pronged strategy of regulation, enforcement, and education.
But while the new measures are promising on paper, transport officials acknowledge that real progress will depend on strict implementation, consistent monitoring, and sustained political will.
The DOTr’s message is clear: a plan is useless without follow-through. Whether these reforms will stick—and save lives—remains to be seen, but for now, the rules are changing, and the stakes are higher than ever.
