New law bans kids 12 years old and below from taking the front seat

Children who are 12 years old and below would not be allowed to take the front seat unless they meet the height requirements of at least 4'11" and are using the regular seat belt.

According to a report by Ivan Mayrina aired over “24 Oras” on Thursday, this new requirement is contained in the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, which President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed.

Augusto Lagman, president of the Automobile Association of the Philippines, lauded the measure, saying that the most dangerous seat in a vehicle is the one occupied by the passenger in front.

“Unang una, sudden braking lang, puedeng madala ka kung hindi ka naka-seatbelt at tuloy-tuloy ka du'n sa windshield,” Lagman said.

The same law also mandates that there should be other forms of child restraint system such as car seat and car bed for the child passenger at  the back seat on top of the seatbelt.

"When we say child restraint system that includes the seat whether its facing forward or its facing backward,” Lagman added.

Based on World Health Organization data, having child restraint equipment would reduce the risk of child deaths while on board a vehicle by as much as 70 percent.

The cost of child restraint equipment, however, is quite expensive.

A car seat spotted by GMA News in a shop amounted to P15,0000.

Vehicle owner Mon Pausanos is in favor of requiring car seat for children but stressed that the price of such should be made affordable.

But for Lagman, a car seat should not cost much for someone who can buy a car.

“If you can afford to buy a car, siguro naman you can afford to buy a car seat for your child,” Lagman said.

Those who will be found in violation of the new law will be fined P1,000 on first offense, P2,000 for second offense and P5,000 and cancellation of driver's license on third offense.

The new law, however, does not cover public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys and tricycles. —LLanesca Panti/ LDF, GMA News