You might see taxis with child seats in the future

The Child Seat Law or Republic Act 11229 was a popular topic earlier this 2021. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that the implementation of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act of 2020 would begin on Feb 2, 2021. However, it wasn't without controversies, and it led to President Rodrigo Duterte postponing the implementation of the Child Seat Law indefinitely.

But following an incident in Baguio City, the Child Seat Law has been an issue once more. According to a news report, a child was able to open the rear door of a taxi and fell out of the moving vehicle. Because of the incident, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said taxi drivers can be liable under the Child Seat Law as well. That's assuming their vehicle does not have a proper child seat to secure children in the rear seats.

To freshen up your memory, RA 11229 prohibits children under the age of 12 from riding in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. Instead, they must be secured using child seats in the second row. The child seat used must also be accredited by the LTO and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). However, the law does provide exceptions. Children who are 150 cm or 4’11” tall can use ordinary seat belts. Meanwhile, teenagers aged 13 and up are likewise exempted from the rule, regardless of height.

With the HPG bringing up the issue of child seats in taxis, does this mean its implementation has resumed? Also, will it be limited to taxis or will other public utility vehicles (PUVs) need child seats as well? Last we checked, the LTO has yet to make any new announcement regarding the child seat law, and whether it's being implemented once again.

Whatever the case, it should be a no-brainer to secure your kids in a child seat if you can. It's for their safety, after all. 

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