Beginning February 2, 2021, it will be illegal for any child aged 12 years old or under to travel in a vehicle without proper child restraints systems (CRS) or child car seats. They are also prohibited to take the front seats.
The restriction is part of the full implementation of RA 11229, or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, which mandates children aged 12 and below use the CRS and are only allowed to take the front seat if they meet the 4'11' height requirement, on top of using the regular seat belt.
When safely fastened in the correct child car seat for their age and size, a child who is properly secured in an approved child car seat is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than one who is not.
For now, the law only applies to privately-owned motor vehicles and those which are being rented under a lease.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHAT ARE THE ALLOWED CHILD CAR SEATS?
The allowed car seat for your child is always the one that fits.
All children must be safely fastened in the correct child car seat or CRS for their age, size, height and weight and must be mounted in a rear seat of the vehicle.
This means if your child is too small for the child restraint specified for their age, they should be kept in their current child restraint until it is safe for them to move to the next level.
If your child is too large for the child restraint specified for their age, they may move to the next level of child restraints.
Children between seven and twelve years old are usually prescribed with booster seats, but if the child's height is 4'11" and taller, the car's regular seat belts will suffice.
DTI STANDARDS
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as specified in DTI Department Administrative Order No. 20-03, has set the necessary standards for the CRS under United Nations Regulations 44 and 149, as well as evolving and other international standards.
The DTI will publish a list of brands that meet the requirements of RA 11229, and which have already been granted a Philippine Standards mark or an Import Clearance Certificate.
Manufacturers, distributors, importers, retailers, and sellers found in violation of these standards will be fined from P50,000 to P100,000 for every CRS product sold without prejudice to other penalties.
WHAT ABOUT PREVIOUSLY OWNED CAR SEATS PRIOR TO RA 11229?
For those who had previously acquired their own car seats prior to the implementation of RA 11229, may have them inspected at the LTO. They will be given certificates of approval when they pass the standard specification requirements.
APPREHENSIONS AND PENALTIES
While the law will take effect this week, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will not apprehend violators for the next three to six months as the agency will focus on information dissemination on the new law. This means the authorities will still flag you down in the streets but will only issue warnings instead of the usual violation tickets.
Nevertheless, when full enforcement takes effect, drivers found in violation will be fined P1,000 for the first offense; P2,000 for the second offense; and P3,000 and a one-year suspension of the driver's license for the third and succeeding offenses.
Penalties will also be imposed to drivers who will allow a child to sit in the front seat of a vehicle, leave a child unattended in a motor vehicle, and the use of substandard or expired child seats.
EXEMPTIONS
There are exemptions, but they are only limited to medical emergencies and other similar circumstances, where the CRS would put the child in a greater danger as certified by a doctor or a healthcare professional.
ANY THOUGHTS?
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This post originally appeared at https://emongsjournals.blogspot.com