PROPOSED ANTI-ROAD RAGE LAW STILL PENDING AT HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Art Dumlao — May 3, 2025
Law seeking to stem road rage still pending at the House
BAGUIO CITY (May 2, 2025) -- A proposed law to stem road rage is still at the House of Representatives pending study by the Committee on Transportation.
This amid a strong push to the growing problem of aggressive driving and road-related violence, that prompted House Bill No. 8991, also known as the "Anti-Road Rage Act of 2023”, introduced in August 29, 2023 by Deputy Majority Leader Erwin T. Tulfo, with ACT-CIS Party-list Representatives Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo and Representatives Eric Yap of Benguet and Quezon City 2nd District lawmaker Ralph Tulfo.
We are seeking to establish strict penalties for road rage incidents and empower the government to pursue legal action against offenders, even if victims are too afraid or unwilling to press charges themselves, explained Benguet lawmaker Eric Yap.
In a committee hearing, Deputy House Majority Leader Tulfo underscored the urgency of the measure by highlighting alarming statistics from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA): of the 72,000 recorded road crashes in Metro Manila in 2022, a significant number were linked to road rage incidents.
According to the proposal, road rage is an aggressive, hostile, or violent behavior by a motorist, including acts such as wild gesturing, verbal insults, physical attacks or attempts, reckless driving, threats, intimidation, and similar offenses covered by existing penal laws.
According to Benguet lawmaker Yap, a graduated system of penalties based on the severity of the incident, ranging from six months to twelve years of imprisonment and fines ranging between ₱50,000 to ₱500,000 are sought in the measure. Convicted individuals will also face a five-year ban from renewing their driver’s license, while government officials or employees found guilty will be permanently disqualified from public service, he added.
Rep. Yap added that one of the standout features of House Bill No. 8991 is its provision allowing the government to prosecute offenders even without the victim's direct complaint. This important measure was influenced by a high-profile case in Quezon City where a cyclist, intimidated by a former police officer who brandished a gun, declined to file charges. Lawmakers hope this provision will ensure that justice can still be served, particularly in cases where fear or intimidation prevents victims from speaking out.
“If enacted, the Anti-Road Rage Act of 2023 would not only penalize violent and aggressive drivers but also promote a culture of accountability and civility on Philippine roads. It represents a bold step toward making streets safer and ensuring that all motorists and pedestrians are protected from dangerous behavior behind the wheel,” the Benguet lawmaker added.
