MMDA backs bill vs texting while driving

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is backing a bill that proposes to penalize texting while driving, its chairman Francis Tolentino said Monday. "We support that initiative," Tolentino said at a press briefing in Malacañang. "Not only does [texting] distract the driver, it lessens your ability to focus." The bill was filed by Buhay party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng, who also filed a similar measure in the previous Congress. Tolentino said even taking calls while driving should be penalized. He said there was an MMDA study in 2007 that said the effects of texting while driving could be "fatal." - Jam L. Sisante/KBK, GMANews.TV