A new bill has been filed in the House of Representatives aimed at protecting innocent drivers from unjust detention following road accidents. The proposed “Anti-Kamote” Driver bill seeks to ensure that drivers who can provide evidence, such as dash cam recordings or CCTV footage, proving they are not at fault, will not be detained.
“Kamote drivers” refer to reckless road users. Davao Oriental Representative Cheeno Almario, who supports the bill, stated, “As someone who has experienced that, it’s unfair. While we are being careful, there are people out there who don’t care about their safety and other people.”
Motorists have expressed varied opinions on the proposal. One motorcycle driver supported the measure, stating, “This is good, especially it can bail out those who were not at fault.” Another driver added, “Not everyone involved in a road accident is at fault.”
However, the bill does not specify who would decide whether to detain a driver or not, a detail that will be discussed in an upcoming hearing.
1-Rider party-list Representative Ramon Gutierrez commented that it should be the judiciary, specifically the Supreme Court, that decides on procedural rules, stating, “The legislative does not have the power to impose upon them what will be their procedure.”
The Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) questioned the necessity of such a law, emphasizing that the police already have the discretion to investigate road accidents. Robby Consunji of the AAP said, “Do we really need a new law? The police already have the power and discretion. Any new law will not neutralize the ‘SOP’ of passing the issue to the fiscal and courts.”
The group added that the police have the authority to investigate anyone involved in an accident.