Senate OKs motorcycle ban for kids on final reading

MANILA, Philippines – To lessen the number of children who die due to road accidents, the Senate has passed on third and final reading a bill that bans small children from riding as passengers on a motorcycle.

Senate Bill 2488, known as the “Prohibition on Children Riding Motorcycles Act of 2015,” will apply to children who cannot comfortably reach the foot peg of the vehicle.

Acting Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, author and sponsor of the measure, said on Monday, May 11, that the bill aims to protect children who “are exposed to danger, particularly if they cannot reach the foot stool or embrace the adult fully for balance.”

“Because of their tender age, especially infants, children’s reflexes are different from adults and they may not be able to react rightly to some situations which can cause them to fall and suffer injury or even result in death,” he added.

But the restriction is not absolute.

The measure would not apply to emergency cases or in remote areas with no considerable vehicle traffic, or where motorcycles are the only means of transportation.

Children who could comfortably plant their feet on the foot peg and who could wrap their arms around the driver are also exempted from the ban.

Senate President Franklin Drilon also said the bill adds to the government’s efforts in curbing the number of deaths due to road accidents.

Drilon cited a 2003 Philippine National Injury survey pointing to road accidents as the second leading cause of death among Filipino children.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 186,300 children die from road traffic crashes annually. This translates to more than 500 children dying due to road accidents everyday.

To raise awareness and encourage global action, the WHO has launched the #SaveKidsLives campaign for the Third United Nations Global Road Safety Week held from May 4 to May 10. – Rappler.com