DOTr releases guidelines of ‘Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act’

MANILA: Barely a year after President Duterte signed the Republic Act (RA) 11229 or the "Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act", its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have been released by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Under the IRR, it is unlawful for children (defined in the IRR as anyone below 12 years old) to sit in the front of the vehicle and when seated in the second row or further back must use a Child Restraint Systems (CRS).

Not only this, but it is also illegal if the child sitting in the front seat of a vehicle when it is parked but the engine is running.

The only exception is for children who are 150 centimeters or 59 inches or four feet and eleven inches (4’11”) in height and who will be secured using a regular seatbelt.

Special circumstances such as medical emergencies will also exempt a child from using a CRS.

The IRR also specifies that CRS units without expiration dates cannot be imported, distributed, advertised, promoted or sold in the market, likewise for expired CRS models.

A CRS used on a child must also not have a frayed harness or tether strap, broken stitching, twisted, torn or abraded webbing strap, show any cracks on the plastic shell, a release buckle that does not engage or disengage properly, or have missing parts, or show visible damage.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be tasked to create an accredited fitting station for providing assistance to the motorists in installing a CRS.

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), local government units (LGUs) will be deputised by the LTO in order to implement and enforce RA 11229.

First-time violators will be fined P1,000; for the second offense Php 2,000; and for the third and succeeding offenses, P5,000 and suspension of driver’s license.

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