The Children's Safety On Motorcycles Act of 2015–10: Things You Need To Know

Children below 18 years old will no longer be allowed to ride on motorcycles starting May 19, as Republic Act 10666, or the the Children’s Safety On Motorcycles Act of 2015, is officially in effect. This comes a day after the Anti-Distracted Driving Act took effect on May 18.

Under the law, it is illegal to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle on public roads if a child is on board, specifically if there's a heavy volume of vehicles, there's a high density of fast moving vehicles, or where there's a speed limit of more than 60 kph is imposed. The exception here is if the child's feet can comfortably reach the motorcycle's foot peg for the pillion rider, the child's arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider, and the child is wearing a standard protective helmet. Another exception is if the child being transported requires immediate medical attention.

"The Department of Transportation believes that this proactive and preventive approach will secure the safety of passengers, especially children," the agency said in a statement.

The Children's Safety On Motorcycles Act of 2015 10-Point Guidelines

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 What's Not in the 10-Point Guideline?

 

1. You can be imprisoned for one year.

 

If you're in violation of the law and it results in the injury or even death of the child passenger "or any other person," you may be imprisoned for one year. The same also applies for the operator of the motorcycle involved.

 

2. The fines may be increased by the LTO once every three years.

 

The LTO may increase the fines "after public consultation" once every three years in the amount not exceeding 20 percent of the amounts sought to be increased or adjusted.

 

The LTO recently reminded the public of the law in a Facebook post.

Updated by Wilbert Tan on July 24, 2020

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