President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed a law promoting the safety of children riding motorcycles on public roads.
According to Republic Act (RA) 10666, “It shall (now) be unlawful for any person to drive a two-wheeled motorcycle with a child on board on public roads where there is heavy volume of vehicles, there is a high density of fast-moving vehicles or where a speed limit of more than 60/kph is imposed, unless:
“The child passenger can comfortably reach his/her feet on the standard foot peg of the motorcycle; the child’s arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider; and the child is wearing a standard protective helmet”, as prescribed in the RA 10054 or the ‘Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.’
Violators will be fined P3,000 on their first offense; P5,000 on second offense; and P10,000 on third and succeeding offenses.
On the third offense, a violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a month. Violation beyond the third time will result in the automatic revocation of the offender’s driver’s license.
The President signed Republic Act 10666 last July 21, after the Senate and House of Representatives passed it last May 27. PND
