Can a Vlogger Be Held Liable for Reckless Driving?
My friend is a vlogger who frequently posts videos of himself riding motor bikes at fast speeds on national roads to feature different motor bikes and accessories. One day, he received a letter from the Land Transportation Office about a complaint filed against him for reckless driving after several videos showed him riding at speeds of more than 130 km/h on provincial roads. Since my friend is a vlogger, he claims that part of his job is to do a speed test on motorcycles at their top speed and that he always puts disclaimers in his video blogs that his driving should not be followed by others. Can he really be held liable for reckless driving for his actions?
Understanding the Legal Perspective
To answer your query, we shall refer to Republic Act (RA) 4136, known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. This law provides for a specific provision related to the speed restrictions of motor vehicles.
Speed Restrictions and Reckless Driving
- 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.
- 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.
Relative to the above-cited provisions, the law provides that the maximum allowable speed for any passenger car or motorcycle on an open country road is at 80 kph. Limited-access highways have different speed limits, capped at 100 kph.
Legal Implications for Vloggers Conducting Speed Tests
Based on the details provided, the speed at which your friend is driving a motorcycle is significantly beyond the maximum speed provided by law, constituting reckless driving. The fact that your friend is a vlogger doing a speed test cannot be a legal excuse for his gross negligence and disregard for traffic rules and speed limits.
Remember that the license to drive motor vehicles is a regulated privilege, and motorists must adhere to traffic laws to ensure public safety. Your friend can be held liable and penalized for reckless driving for exceeding the allowed maximum speed on public roads.
