04/08/2026
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This is provided in RA 4136: Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Section 35. Restriction as to speed. -
(a) Any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed, not greater nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, the width of the highway, and of any other condition then and there existing; and no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such a speed as to endanger the life, limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit him to bring the vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
Section 48. Reckless driving. - No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any highway recklessly or without reasonable caution considering the width, traffic, grades, crossing, curvatures, visibility and other conditions of the highway and the conditions of the atmosphere and weather, or so as to endanger the property or the safety or rights of any person or so as to cause excessive or unreasonable damage to the highway.
Section 56. Penalty for violation. - The following penalties shall be imposed for violations of this Act:
(n) If, as the result of negligence or reckless or unreasonable fast driving, any accident occurs resulting in death or injury of any person, the motor vehicle operator at fault shall, upon conviction, be punished under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
Excessive speed as done by racers on public roads are prohibited under RA 4136 as they can endanger all other motorists. The Revised Penal Code provides for the penalty in case of damages, death or injury caused by these accidents.
Revised Penal Code
ART. 365. Imprudence and negligence.—Any person who, by reckless imprudence, shall commit any act…
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When the ex*****on of the act covered by this article shall have only resulted in damage to the property of another, the offender shall be punished by a fine ranging from an amount equal to the value of said damages to three times such value…
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2. When, by imprudence or negligence and with violations of the Automobile Law, the death of a person shall be caused, in which case the defendant shall be punished by prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods (2 years, 4 months, and 1 day to 6 years)…
Our local ordinances also prohibit excessive speed on public roads under ORDINANCE NO. O27O-23 or the Speed Limit Ordinance of Davao City.
SECTION 6. OVERSPEEDING AND RECKLESS DRIVING -
(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any road in this City at a rate of�speed greater than that permitted by this Ordinance or by other laws.
(b) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed that is not appropriate for the width, traffic, grades, crossing, curvatures, visibility, or other conditions of the road, as to endanger the safety of road users and their property.
(c) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than that which will permit the vehicle to stop within the assured clear distance ahead, in order to prevent a road crash.
For purposes of this Ordinance, reckless driving is defined as exceeding the maximum permitted speed by more than 30 kilometers per hour (kph), regardless of any injuries or property damage that may have resulted.
SECTION 14. ADMINISTRATIVE FINES - Violation of this Ordinance shall
subject the violator to the fines as enumerated under the following paragraphs.
First Offense - P1,000
Second Offense - P2,000
Third and Subsequent Offense - 5,000
In addition to the fines provided in this Section, a fine of P1,500 for the first and
second offense, or P2,500 for the third and subsequent offense, shall be imposed where:
1. The speed of the apprehended vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 30 kph; or
2. The motor vehicle is driven in a reckless manner.
Under both National Law and Local Ordinances, speed contests like drag racing are ILLEGAL on public roads. We urge the public to report all individuals or groups who encourage such reckless behavior and those who blatantly disregard our traffic laws.
