THE House of Representatives has passed on second reading a proposed law banning any person from transporting children below the age of 10 on a motorcycle along highways unless the child is wearing a standard protective helmet.

Under House Bill (HB) No. 5626 or the Motorcycle Safety for Children Act of 2011, it seeks to ensure the safety of children aboard motorcycles by regulating the operation of motorcycles along highways and roads.

The protective helmet must comply under Republic Act (RA) No. 10054 otherwise known as “The Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.”

RA 10054 provides that a child can be transported if his or her feet can comfortably reach the footrests of the motorcycle and the arms of the child can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle driver.

Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, author of the measure, said riding a motorcycle, whether as a driver or rider requires a balance of body weight and the weight of the bike especially in high-speed driving or weaving in and out of traffic.

“Children’s physical frailty and their lack of agility that of an adult while co-riding in a motorcycle place them at great risk,” said Acop.

Caloocan City Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon, also an authors of the measure, said the bill seeks to limit the number of motorcycle passengers to two, including the driver, except in remote areas wherein the child to be transported is requiring immediate medical treatment.

The bill proposes to penalize violators the amount not exceeding P3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense and P10,000 for the third and succeeding offenses. Ryan Ponce Pacpaco

Article taken from Journal.com.ph
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