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Children banned on motorcycles starting tomorrow in the Philippines

Motodeal
Children's Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015

Republic Act (RA) No. 10666 or the Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act of 2015 will be implemented nationwide this Friday, May 19, 2017. The said law, which takes effect a day after the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, prohibits an individual to ride any 2-wheeled motorcycle with a child on board. 

The law bans any 2-wheeled motorcycles with children driving along public roads such as national highways, provincial roads, and municipal/barangay streets. This includes motorcycles and e-bikes with 1 or 2 riding saddles.

Other thoroughfares mentioned were roads with heavy volume of vehicular traffic, high-density of fast moving vehicles, and/or where the speed limit is 60 km/h and above. Aside from that, RA 10666 also bans children sitting in front of the rider.

As of this writing, the inclusion/exemption of tricycles and quadbikes hasn’t been mentioned.

Exemptions

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), RA 10666 may allow children to ride if they can comfortably reach the standard foot peg of a motorcycle; wrap their arms around and grip the waist of the rider; and if the child is wearing a helmet. In addition, children in need of immediate medical attention are exempted from the law. 

Penalties

Any person who violates RA 10666 will be penalized P3,000 for the 1st offense, P5,000 for the 2nd offense, and P10,000 for the 3rd offense (with 1-month driver’s license suspension). If caught for the 4th time, the rider will be fined P10,000 and revocation of driver’s license.   

If the violator causes death or injury to a child or any other person, a 1-year imprisonment will be imposed on the motorcycle rider.

The DOTr - Land Transportation Office (LTO) will lead the way in enforcing the Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act. The LTO has been given the authority to deputize members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other local government units.

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