Grab, Uber back Anti-Distracted Driving Act

App-based ride sharing service Grab Philippines on Wednesday reminded all its partner-drivers to strictly comply with the ban on the use of mobile devices while driving as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act will be fully enforced nationwide on May 18.

Drivers of transport network vehicle services such as Grab and Uber are quite dependent on the use of mobile phones for booking passengers and navigation.

“We have distributed materials to our drivers to make sure they know what they can and cannot do based on the newly implemented anti-distracted driving law,” Grab Philippines Country Head Brian Cu said in a statement.

“We know that driving with their phones is critical for Grab drivers because it’s a main tool for their livelihood, but there are ways that we can make sure they comply with the law,” he added.

He also emphasized that Grab Philippines welcomes the law as it promotes safety not only for drivers, but for passengers and pedestrians as well.

“Even before the law is implemented, many of our partners and drivers are already using hands-free means to communicate with passengers,” he noted, adding the new law will have minimal impact on the operations of Grab.

In a separate statement, Uber Philippines also welcomed the full enforcement of the law against distracted driving.

"Safety is very important to Uber. We believe the government's efforts to improve road safety complements our efforts to practice and promote the same with our driver partners," Uber said.

"For example, Uber's Telematics feature available on our driver app tracks braking and accelerating habits, detects the use of smartphones, as well as speeding alerts," it added. —NB, GMA News