The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has postponed the full implementation of the new law requiring the placement of car seats for children in consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DOTr said the imposition of fines and penalties for The Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act will not yet push through given the current economic condition. For the meantime, authorities will focus on massive information and education campaign on the importance of the law.
“We reiterate that this road safety measure was adopted by the State, with the primary intention of protecting, and upholding the welfare of our children,” the transportation department stated on its Facebook page.
The law was passed and signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last February 22, 2019. Its approved implementing rules and regulations (IRR) were released last December 23, 2019. Some motorists have favored the move to postpone the imposition of fines, but some have already been seeking the lowering of age requirement. – Report from Karen Villanda
