LTO: No apprehension for six months for violating child car seat law

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Tuesday it will be focusing on the intensified information drive on the full implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act instead of an outright apprehension or issuance of tickets against violators.

At a virtual press briefing, LTO chief and Transportation Assistant Edgar Galvante eased the motoring public’s concern that there will be immediate apprehension upon the full effectivity of the law on February 2, 2021. 

“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,” 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.

The Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act — signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in February last year — mandates that children aged 12 and below use the child restraint systems (CRS) or car seats and are only allowed to take the front seat if they meet the 4'11' height requirement, on top of using the regular seat belt.

In a Viber message to reporters, Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Libiran said there will at least six months conduct of information, education, and communications (IEC) campaign before strict implementation of the law.

“[Transportation] Secretary Art [Tugade] also said that we must consider the current situation, given na pandemic ngayon,” Libiran said.

Under the implementing rules and regulations of the law, drivers found violating it will be fined P1,000 for the first offense; P2,000 for the second offense; and P3,000 and a one-year suspension of the driver's license for the third and succeeding offenses.

Exempted, however, are those cases that would put the child in greater danger such as during medical emergencies, when the child transported has a medical or developmental condition or other similar circumstances.

Manufacturers, distributors, importers, retailers, and sellers who violate the law -- in terms of safety standards and the regulation and requirements -- will be fined from P50,000 to P100,000 for every CRS product sold without prejudice to other penalties. — RSJ, GMA News