Where are Seat Belt Law enforcers?

Where are the Seat Belt Law enforcers?

Motorists enjoyed a relaxed first two days of the full implementation of Republic Act 8750 or the Seat Belt Law as enforcers were busy directing traffic in thoroughfares near cemeteries.

According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the law was to be fully implemented nationwide starting Wednesday.

But Bobby Aguilar, deputy for Operations of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said that enforcers were instead deployed near cemeteries to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

"We are bound to implement this law. But enforcers are busy directing traffic near memorial parks," he noted.

Aguilar added that motorists might get angry at enforcers if they were accosted for not wearing seat belts in the middle of traffic congestion.
"It may only aggravate the traffic problem. Tomorrow, a strengthened implementation of the law will start," he said.

MMDA, along with the Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippine National Construction Corporation, local government units and other concerned agencies, had been tapped by the LTO to implement the seat belt law.

From May 1, the seat belt law had been partially implemented among new vehicles or those with installed seat belts. This was intended to prepare motorists for the supposed full implementation Wednesday.

Under the law, drivers will be fined P250, P500 and P1,000 plus one-week suspension of driver’s license if they or their passengers will not buckle up, for the first, second and third offense, respectively.

Drivers of vehicles without the devices face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense and P2,000 for the second and P3,000 for the third offense.

Various transport groups belonging to the Confederation of Land Transport Organization of the Philippines (COLTOP) are questioning some provisions in the implementing rules of the law.

The provisions pertain to the varying configurations of seat belts required for buses and liability of drivers if their passengers refuse to wear the devices.

COLTOP wanted the full implementation to be deferred until the alleged "flawed provisions" are corrected.