MANILA – The Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, also known as the Child Car Seat Law, takes effect today. It makes child restraint systems for child passengers mandatory in private vehicles to prevent injury and death in case of a crash.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) started training fitters and enforcers as well as developing the guidelines for the law’s implementation. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), meanwhile, issued mandatory product certification for car seats.
The law covers private motor vehicles but it also says the DOTr “may recommend to Congress the inclusion of public motor vehicles and other vehicles used for public transport.”
Here are some key points you need to know about the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act:
What age is covered by the law?
* All children aged 12 years old and below
What height is exempted by the law?
* A child may be exempted provided he or she is at least 150 centimeters or 59 inches in height.
* The law deems that passengers taller than this measurement can be “properly secured using a regular seatbelt.”
What vehicles are covered?
* All public and private motor vehicles determined by the DOTr. The law does not cover tricycles and motorcycles.
When are children exempted from sitting on car seats inside a moving vehicle?
* During medical emergencies
* If the child has a medical or developmental condition
When will public utility vehicles install car seats?
* The law mandates the DOTr to “conduct a study” on the use of child restraint systems in jeeps, buses, taxis, vans and other modes of public transportation.
* Should the DOTr determine, after the study, that child restraint systems are not applicable in certain public utility vehicles, it shall recommend to Congress other safety measures and regulations for the safe and secure transportation of children in vehicles.
What are the penalties for violating the law?
* P1,000 for the first offense
* P2,000 for the second offense
* P5,000 and suspension of driver’s license for a year for the third and succeeding offenses
While the law took effect today, the LTO said it will only start apprehending violators in “three to six months.”
Roberto Valera, LTO deputy director for law enforcement, said there are still concerns that “need to be addressed.”
“We have to finalize the administrative order on the tint law. Some cars have dark tints so it will be harder for us. Enforcement of the law is visual, we have to see if the child is on the car seat,” he said. (With ABS-CBN News/PN)
