The Act calls for the mandatory use of seat belts among passengers of all motor vehicles whether private or for hire, seated facing forward in the front row seats and those seated at the back row (passenger immediately behind the driver) of private cars, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and for hire vehicles with running engine on any road or thoroughfare.
Drivers of “for hire” motor vehicles are required to immediately inform and require the front seat passengers upon boarding a vehicle of running engine to wear the prescribed seat belts. Any passenger who refuses to wear seat belts shall be directed to take another seat for which a seat belt is not required or else he/she shall not be allowed to continue his/her trip. In addition, he/she will be informed that no insurance can be recovered in case of accident.
Appropriate signage shall be posted on public or for hire vehicles.
Exempted from this law is a passenger or operator with a physically disabling ailment or medical condition which would prevent appropriate restraint in a safety belt. The condition should be duly certified by a licensed physician and surgeon or a licensed chiropractor who shall state the nature of the condition, and why the restraint is inappropriate.
Fines and penalties shall be imposed on failure to wear the prescribed seat belt and for allowing a child 6 years old and below to sit on the front passenger seat:
First Offense – One thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00)
Second Offense – Two thousand pesos (Php 2,000.00)
Third Offense – Five thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00) plus one (1) week suspension of driver’s license counting from the payment of fine.
FAILURE TO POST APPROPRIATE SEAT BELT SIGNAGE (FOR PUV) AND FAILURE TO REQUIRE THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER TO WEAR A SEATBELT.
For PUV’s both the driver and operator are liable to pay the fine of three thousand pesos (Php 3,000.00) for every violation.
