What is the Child Car Seat Law or R. A. 11229
Starting February 2, 2021, Republic Act 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act also known as the Child Car Seat Law will now in full effect.
This is in pursuance to guarantee the safety and welfare of infants and children and prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries and to regulate, promote, and inform the public on the use of child restraint systems in motor vehicles and provide access to safe, appropriate, quality and affordable child restraint systems.
Who are subject to Child Car Seat Law?
Drivers of private vehicles whether owned or rented who are transporting with them a child or children 12 years and below, meaning if you are a vehicle owner/driver, you must comply with the provisions of the Child car seat law, when you are transporting a child.
Under this law, a child refers to any person twelve (12) years old and below.
Transportation means when the engine of the vehicle is running or when transporting the child on any road, street or highway.
How are we going to comply with the Child Car seat law?
Children 12 years and below must be seated in rear seats with a required child restraint systems.
Child restraint systems are devices approved by law capable of accommodating a child in a sitting or supine position. A child restraint device must be licensed and approved by the Bureau of Products Standards (BPS) with a Philippine Standards (PS) or Import Clearance Certificate (ICC) license.
Child Restraint systems (CRS) are properly installed if:
- CRS is correctly installed in the vehicle through proper anchorage points;
- The CRS is appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight;
- The harness straps and lap belt are firmly buckled and not twisted;
- The Shoulder strap crosses the center of the child’s chest and not the child’s neck; and
- The lap belt fits across the child’s thighs and hips and not across the abdomen.
What are the penalties?
| Violations | Penalties |
| Non-use of Child Restraint System while transporting with a child | 1st Offense – P1,000.00 2nd Offense – P2,000.00 3rd and succeeding offenses – P5,000.00 & (1) suspension of driver’s license. |
| Child 12 years and below or below 4’11’’ in height seated in front seat. | |
| Selling substandard or expired Child Restraint System | P50,000 – P100,000 for every child restraint product sold |
| Using substandard or expired Child Restraint System | 1st Offense – P1,000.00 2nd Offense – P2,000.00 3rd and succeeding offenses – P5,000.00 & (1) suspension of driver’s license. |
| Tampering, alteration, forgery, imitation of PS mark or ICC Stickers | P50,000 – P100,000 for every child restraint tampered, altered or forged |
| At no instance shall a child be left unaccompanied by an adult in a motor vehicle, notwithstanding the use of a child restraint system. | |
Exceptions to the Child Car Seat Law
- When the child is more than 4’ 11’’ (four feet and eleven inches) in height;
- When the child is transported during medical emergencies;
- When the child transported has medical or developmental condition which makes the child restraint system hazardous or detrimental to the child’s safety;
- Other analogous circumstances;
- Children transported using the Public Utility vehicles (Jeepneys, buses, etc.) This is still under research and study by the Department of Transportation.
Do you think this is a good law? What are your thoughts about the new Child Car Seat Law? You can leave a comment below. Please follow us on Facebook.
