Motorists who drive with their partners should focus on the road, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The transport agency’s reminder came at the heels of a viral video which showed a couple kissing and hugging while on the road.
“When driving, the driver’s focus should be on the road, not (on) the passenger,” the DOTr said.
“Dahil diyan, nais po namin kayong paalalahanan na…. Okay lang maglambingan, basta nasa ligtas na lugar, pagkakataon at pamamaraan,” (We would like to remind everyone that it’s okay to snuggle. But it has to be in the proper place and at proper time),” the agency added.
“Minsan, mas okay na bumitaw sa nobya, ‘wag lang sa manibela. No bitter feelings. Just pag-ibig (Sometimes, it’s much better to let go of your partner rather than the steering wheel),” the agency.
The DOTr said that it is asking the Land Transportation Office to investigate the couple behind the viral video to assess proper action.
UPDATE: Couple kissing on the road not in PH — DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) clarified on Wednesday that the viral video of a couple seen kissing and hugging each other while driving on the road was not shot in the Philippines.
In a Facebook post, the DOTr said that although the video did not happen in the country, some motorists tend to do the same while driving with their romantic partners.
“Pero, aminin man natin o hindi, may ilang Pinoy ring gumagawa nito dahil sa ka-sweetan (Whether we admit it or not, some Filipinos do this out of sweetness)! Kaya nananatili ang paalala ng DOTr sa ngalan ng kaligtasan ng lahat sa kalsada (Our reminder remains the same in the name of the safety of everyone on the road),” the agency said.
“Nasaan ka mang sulok ng mundo, kung ganito ang ginagawa mo habang nagmamaneho, tiyak na disgrasya ang haharapin mo (No matter where you are, if you do something like this, you’re courting disaster),” DOTr added.
The transport agency likened driving to a person’s love life, saying that a driver should focus on the road to prevent hitting other people.
“Ang pagmamaneho, tulad ‘yan ng love life mo. Dapat sa kanya lang naka-focus ang iyong mga mata para hindi ka na makabangga o makadisgrasya ng iba (Driving is like your love life. You should stay focused on it so you don’t hurt others),” the statement continued.
In jest, the transport agency also quipped that a true relationship goal is for couples to be safe together to ensure that there is forever. “Ang tunay na relationship goals: Maging safe together, para siguradong may forever,” the agency said.