A driver refused to move her car after a string of vehicles illegally tried to counterflow on the lane she was in on an undisclosed national highway.
Facebook user Nina Ellaine Dizon recorded her experience in which she did not give way to vehicles who were going against the traffic flow and taking advantage of the uncongested opposite lane.
“I could’ve just went the other way and tolerate these counter-flowing drivers but nope,” she wrote.
In the video, Dizon honked at every vehicle she encountered on her lane that was going the opposite direction. She could have moved to the inner lane of the road she was in but she refused and stayed put to teach the counterflowing drivers a “lesson.”
“Naka-counter flow sa national highway… dapat ‘pag mga ganyan ‘di kayo umaalis sa mga daan niyo, guys! Turuan niyo ng mga lesson ‘to!” Dizon exclaimed in the video.
She encountered different types of vehicles who wanted to counterflow, including an owner-type jeep and a delivery truck.
Most social media users lauded her feat while others noticed the supposed lack of traffic enforcers in the area who could have sanctioned the counterflowing vehicles.
“Kudos to you! That was a lengthy video but where were the traffic enforcers? Traffic was so bad on the other side and for sure the honking of cars could be heard. These counterflowing vehicles should be instantly given tickets!” user Brian Melissa Manio-Yenko wrote.
Counterflowing without an authority is considered illegal. It is prohibited to move against the direction of traffic flow unless it is authorized by a traffic enforcer in cases of extreme congestion or vehicular accidents.
Drivers caught counterflowing without authority shall be fined for P2,000 and have their driving license suspended for a minimum of three months.
Anti-Distracted Driving Act
While Dizon was generally lauded for her initiative, others observed that she violated a rule as well.
Under Republic Act 10913 or the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act,” it is prohibited for drivers to use their mobile phones, communication devices and other electronic equipment while in motion.
It is also prohibited for them to use the mentioned devices when the vehicle is temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection.
“Prohibited acts made while driving include but not limited to: making or receiving calls, writing, sending or reading text-based communications, playing games, watching movies, performing calculations, reading e-books, composing messages and surfing or browsing the internet,” the law states.
Drivers are only allowed to use their mobile phones in motion if they are going “to make or take emergency calls to authorities in case of a crime, accidents, bomb or terrorist threat, fire or explosion, instances needing immediate medical attention, or when personal safety and security is compromised.”
