It’s official: Child seats are now a must in the Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte has finally signed the law requiring children to be seated in car seats when being transported. February 22 marked the signing of Republic Act 11229 of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act.

The law mandates that children below 150 cm (4’9”), and aged 12 and below will not be allowed to sit in the front passenger seat of a running motor vehicle. If he or she were to sit in any other seat, the child must be restrained by a child seat. Enforcement of the law will happen only one year after the implementation of the rules and regulations. The Drivers who are found not complying with the law will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second, and P5,000 for succeeding offenses. The drivers who are found violating the law on the third offense onwards will also receive a one-year driver’s license suspension. 

The law seeks to maximize the safety of all infants and children in order to prevent traffic related deaths that may happen in case of an accident. While secure, the restraint system is also more complex and may require adult supervision to unrestrain the child. Hence it is deemed unlawful for a child to be secured into a child seat without the accompaniment of an adult in a motor vehicle. 

The child seat should also be appropriate for the age, height, and weight of the child. Size accordingly to the height and weight of your child to ensure the safety and comfort of your children during transit. Also, ensure that the child seat is not substandard or expired. Approved seats should bear the Philippine Standard (PS) mark. The Import Clearance Certificate sticker should be present on the child seat and must not be tampered with. Tampering will result in a fine of P50,000 but not more than P100,000 for each product found with tampered or fraudulent marks. The law is in accordance with international standards made by the United Nations (UN). Hence the standards set have to be met even down to the quality and reputability of the child seat.   

While the law sounds strict, there are certain exemptions, such as if the child would be put in greater danger. Medical emergencies where a child seat might do more harm than good, is one of the exceptions. Also, children with developmental conditions may also be exempted from needing a car seat. The DOTr is also studying the application of the child restraint system on public utility vehicles.