Malacañang on Wednesday announced that President Benigno Aquino 3rd has signed into law a bill banning small children from riding motorcycles unless they can comfortably reach the standard foot peg of the two-wheeled vehicle.
Republic Act (RA) 10666, which the President signed on July 21, prohibits any person to drive a two-wheeled motorcycle with a child on board on public roads where there is heavy volume of vehicles, high density of fast-moving vehicles or where a speed limit of more than 60 kilometers per hour is imposed.
The law takes effect15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two national newspapers of general publication.
Under the new law, a child is allowed to be transported aboard a motorcycle only if he or she can comfortably rest his or her feet on the standard foot peg of the motorcycle.
Aside from wearing a standard protective helmet as required under RA 10054, or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, a child-passenger must also be able to reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider-driver.
Any violation shall carry a fine of 3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense and P10,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
Violations beyond the third offense shall result in automatic revocation of the offender’s driver’s license.
The new law authorizes the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to increase or adjust fines not exceeding 20 percent of the amount sought after public consultation once every three years from the effectivity of the act.
It also empowers the LTO to deputize members of the Philippine National Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units to enforce the law.
As the lead agency, LTO shall formulate Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the act.
The office, in coordination with Philippine Information Agency, Department of Education and concerned private organizations and agencies, shall undertake a nationwide information and education campaign for three months on important provisions of the act and its IRR.