An ordinance prohibiting the use of earphones while driving and crossing pedestrian lanes, was approved on first reading by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Em Ang, said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 injured each day in crashes that reportedly to involve a distracted driver.

It said a recent CDC study reports three main types of distractions while driving: taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off what you are doing.

The ordinance said the use of earphones while driving can endanger the driver and others since drivers tend to have less concentration. It may also may impair the driver’s skills in the maintenance of signals on road conditions and prevents him from hearing signals from other vehicles.

The use of earphones while crossing a street can cause the pedestrian to lose attention on traffic situations and prevent him from hearing signals from approaching vehicles, it added.

Meanwhile, a resolution urging Mayor Evelio Leonardia to create a committee on dormitories and boarding houses that will establish guidelines, oversee and regulate the operation of dormitories and boarding houses in Bacolod City, to ensure that these establishments are operated in accordance with sanitary, fire and other safety laws and ordinances, was approved by the SP Wednesday.

Also authored by Ang, the resolution said that in the last five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of dormitories and boarding houses in Bacolod City, and some of their operators or owners do not comply with basic requirements like Fire and Safety Inspection Certificate, Sanitary Permit and Certificate of Annual Building Inspection, among others.

On February 28, 2012, a fire hit a two-storey building at La Salle Avenue in Bacolod City and investigations showed that at originated from room in the dormitory on the second floor the resolution said.

The SP also approved Wednesday a resolution to broadcast its sessions through live streaming in the internet, authored by Councilor Archie Baribar.*CGS

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