LTO advises family with big kids to buy bigger car

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Monday that families with bigger children should buy a bigger car to comply with the implementation of the Child Car Seat Law which requires car seats or restraints for children aged 12 below in private vehicles.

According to LTO director Clarence Guinto, the Child Car Seat Law or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, which would take effect on February 2, mandates 4-wheeled vehicles to put restraint systems for child passengers to prevent injury and deaths in case of a crash.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This is for the protection of the children, 12 years old and below, kaya we are seeking the cooperation of the public na makiisa dito sa patakarang ito (to follow this regulation),” he told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

Asked about bigger children using booster seats could be more dangerous, the LTO chief said, “Siguro ma’am laki-lakihan mo ang sasakyan mo (get a bigger car)…We will take note of that.”

The law also prohibits children to sit in the front seat. However, if the child is 12 years old and above and is 150 centimeters, they could sit in front provided they could be secured properly by the seatbelt.

ADVERTISEMENT

LTO advises family with big kids to buy bigger car

“It shall be unlawful for the driver of a covered vehicle not to properly secure at all times a child, in a child restraint system while the engine is running,” the law states.

“The child restraint system shall be appropriate to the child’s age, height, and weight.”

The use of child restraint system shall not be required in circumstances where its use would put such child in greater danger, such as during medical emergencies or when the child has a medical or developmental condition.

ADVERTISEMENT

At no instance shall a child being secured in a child restraint system be left unaccompanied by an adult in a motor vehicle, the law added.

Any driver found violating this law shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P5,000 and the suspension of the driver’s license for one year for the third and succeeding offenses.