MANILA - The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill imposing penalties on drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Senate Bill No. 3365 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2012 sponsored by Senator Gregorio Honasan prescribes a fee of P20,000 to P80,000 and three months imprisonment against drivers under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs but have not caused any physical injury or homicide.

DUI resulting in physical injuries shall be fined from P100,000 to P200,000 and imprisonment ranging from three months to 12 years depending on the injury caused while DUI leading to homicide shall be fined from P300,000 to P500,000 or imprisonment ranging from 12 years to 20 years.

A mandatory alcohol and drug testing will be required for drivers involved in accidents, which resulted in injury or death.

“Under the measure, vehicular mishaps caused by drivers found to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall not be treated merely as reckless imprudence,” Honasan said.

A consequent confiscation or revocation of license will also be slapped against the driver.

Citing data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Honasan said out of the 86,602 vehicular accidents recorded last year, 3% were drug or alcohol-related while 55% were reportedly due to driver’s error.

“It is not clear how the figures have been arrived at but with the lack of equipment and proper training used to check drunk driving, it is not far-fetched to assume that the incidences generally attributed to driver’s error may be traced to other factors like the use of drugs and alcohol which would increase the percentage of DUI,” Honasan said.