Motorcycle law for kids: LTO-7 sees no problem in applying RA 10666

CEBU, Philippines - The regional director of the Land Transportation Office-7 believes it would be easy to implement the newly-signed law which prohibits children from riding motorcycles.

LTO-7 regional director Arnel Tancinco said Republic Act 10666 is easily enforceable because it only requires “physical capability” and not age.

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law RA 10666, otherwise known as the Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015, which prohibits a motorcycle driver to have a child on board on public roads having heavy volume of vehicles, high density of fast moving vehicles or where the speed limit of more than 60 kilometers per hour is imposed.

But children who can comfortably reach the standard foot peg of the motorcycle are exempted. It further exempts a child whose arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the rider, or if the child is wearing a standard protective helmet.

The law states though that the provision would not be applied when there are emergencies, like when the child needs to be transported to a hospital.

Tancinco said there is already a local law on the same provisions; however, it is based on age.

“This (RA 10666) is easy to abide,” he said adding that other law enforcing agencies like the Cebu City Traffic Office will help implement it.

He said he has yet to receive a copy of the law but said that the LTO regional officers are expected to go to Manila for orientation of the new law.

A 45-year old motorcycle driver, Rey Autentico, commended the present administration for passing the law, which upholds the safety of the riding public, especially children.

“Nindot ni siya nga balaod, kay di baya nato mahibaw-an ang disgrasya unya bata pajud na. Maayo ni para maka-matngon sad ang uban habal-habal drivers na risgo gyud ning imong pasahero kay bata pa.” he said.

Autentico has been a motorcycle driver for 20 years in Oprra in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

He said he does not take passengers below 10 years old, unless their point of destination is within the barangay. Most of his passengers are students whom he transports to school during rush hours.

He agreed that it is indeed very dangerous for children to board motorcycles.

“Delikado gyud kay di man gud parehas sa mga dagko nag edad na makatukod ug simbako ma disgrasya. Ang bata malagpot man. Bisan pag naay helmet, dili na kasiguroan na maluwas ang bata.” he said.

Joshua Sunit, a motorcycle driver from Capitol Site, also supports the newly-signed law.  Sunit admits that he sometimes transports small children, but not when he needs to traverse the highway.

“Kasuway ko katulo og bata nga pasahero, pero duol ra sa amoa. Di nako e-byahe og highway oy makuyawan ta. Ang bata dili baya na katarong og kupot, naa lagi helmet pero kasagaran dili jud maarang sa bata kay dagko baya na.” Sunit said.

Apostol Leonilo from Mandaue City said he is in favor of the law but thinks it should be applicable only in the cities because there are fewer risks of road accidents in the province since there are only a few vehicles on the road.   — Kristine B. Quintas and Charlyne J. Calisang, USJR Intern/ATO (FREEMAN)