Reckless endangerment

The signing into law by President Aquino of the Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act (Republic Act 10666) is most welcome as it should stop the specter on Philippine roads of kids hanging on to dear life as passengers on motorcycles.

Under the new law, a consolidation of Senate Bill 2488 and House Bill 4462, it is now unlawful for a motorcyclist to have a child as passenger on public roads having heavy volume of traffic, fast-moving vehicles or where the speed limit is 60kph.

The penalties for violators are as follows: P3,000 for the first offense; P5,000 for the second and P10,000 for the third, plus suspension of the driver’s license for a month for each instance.

A fourth offense means the cancellation of the driver’s license, which is just right because we cannot have recidivists endangering the lives of children with their cavalier attitude.

The exemptions are: 1) if the child’s feet can comfortably reach the standard foot peg and if the child’s arms can go around the waist of the driver; and 2) in emergency cases whereby the child being transported requires immediate medical attention.

Motorcycle riders may balk at the stiff penalties, but they should realize that lessening the exposure of children from the unnecessary endangerment of riding motorcycles is the goal of this law.

If the penalties are not stiff, irresponsible motor riders would just pay the penalties without changing their reckless ways. –End-

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