New law bans children pillion riders
Makes it unlawful for any person to drive a two-wheeled motorised vehicle with a child on board
Manila: President Benigno Aquino III has signed a law that bans motorcyclists from riding with young children on board.
The Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act or Republic Act 10666, signed by the President in late July, spells out restrictions on motorcyclists with regard to riding with children on board and specifies penalties for the action, which includes the automatic revocation of the offender’s diving licence on the fourth offence.
“The State shall pursue a more proactive and preventive approach to secure the safety of passengers, especially children, by regulating the operation of motorcycles along roads and highways,” the new law states.
Motorcycles have become one of the most prolific forms of individual transport for Filipinos due to their easy affordability. Consequently, the chances of riders being involved in accidents have proportionally increased.
While the safety of adult riders is a concern, so is that of the young passengers that they take with them.
The focus of the Republic Act 10666 is to promote the safety of children riding motorcycles on public roads.
The new law makes it unlawful for any person to drive a two-wheeled motorised vehicle with a child on board on public roads with a heavy volume of vehicles, a high density of fast-moving vehicles, or a speed limit of more than 60km/h.
The government will only allow child passengers on motorcycles if “they can comfortably reach his/her feet on the standard foot peg of the vehicle; if [the] child’s arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider; and the child is wearing a standard protective helmet.”
In calling for the passage of Republic Act 10666, Senate President Franklin Drilon said such a law would bolster government efforts in stopping deaths and grave injuries of children sustained from road accidents.
“Children who ride motorcycles are exposed to danger, particularly if they cannot reach the foot peg or embrace the adult riding with them fully for balance.”
“Because of their young age, especially infants, children’s reflexes are different from adults, and they may not be able to react rightly to some situations, which can cause them to fall and suffer [an] injury or even result in death,” he added.
