The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Tuesday that they will delay the full implementation of the Child Car Seat Law or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Currently, the LTO [Land Transportation Office] is in the process of finalizing enforcement protocols, considering that special training is needed due the involvement of children,” read the statement.
“Both the DOTr and LTO are in agreement that a deferment of the full implementation/enforcement of this new rule is warranted, especially given our current economic situation amid this still raging pandemic,” it added.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) earlier said they would apprehend violators of the said law for six months but would focus on information drive about the Child Car Seat Law instead.
“Sana po ay mawala ang pangamba na kaagad hahanapin dito na ‘yung lumalabag ay i-issue-han ng ticket at pagre-require-in na magbayad ng ticket,” LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Edgar Galvante said.
“Ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay pinapalawak ang kaalaman ng madla. ‘Pag may nakita na lumalabag dito pinapaalalahanan lang ang mga concerned… Hindi magpe-penalize agad,” he said.
Full implementation of Child Car Seat Law deferred due to pandemic – DOTr
Under the Child Car Seat Law, kids 12 years old and below are required to be in a child restraint device or a baby seat.
The law also prohibits children to sit in the front seat. However, if the child is 12 years old and above and is 150 centimeters, they could sit in front provided they could be secured properly by the seatbelt.
Any driver found violating this law shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P5,000 and the suspension of the driver’s license for one year for the third and succeeding offenses.
Any “manufacturer, distributor, importer, retailer and seller” who violates it may be punished with a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 for “each and every child restraint system manufactured, distributed, imported and/ or sold”.
Any driver who allows the use of a substandard and/or expired child restraint system or permits the use of a child restraint system that does not bear the Philippine Standard mark shall also be slapped with the same penalties.