Ban on earphones while driving mulled

Friday, February 10, 2012

THE Iloilo City Council is mulling an ordinance banning the use of earphones while driving within the jurisdiction of the city.

The “No Earphones While Driving ordinance” is sponsored by Councilor Jason R. Gonzales.

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Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he supports the move of the City Council, adding the ordinance assures road safety.

Gonzales said drivers should always be alert while on road, citing studies that show wearing of earphones adversely affects driving performance, preventing the driver from hearing audible signals from other vehicles.

He also said earphones may impair driver’s skills in the maintenance of signals in lame conditions, affect his appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles, and may contribute to lack of awareness of the traffic.

Exemptions are given to those operating authorized emergency vehicles, persons engaged in operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of highways, streets, bridges, waterways and other public works.

Also exempted are persons operating refuse collection equipment who need to use a safety headset or a pair of safety earplugs and persons wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels, and those using a prosthetic device that aids in hearing. (Lydia C. Pendon)