Wear seat belts at all times

Dear PAO,

I recently moved from the province to Metro Manila. On a recent trip using public transportation, I came across a disagreement between a student and a driver regarding seat belt use. As I am unsure of the specific law myself, I didn't get involved. The student was worried the dusty seat belt would stain his white uniform and did not believe that there was a law requiring front seat passengers to wear one. The driver countered that a seat belt law exists. Given this situation, I'd like to confirm: Is there a law mandating seatbelt use for passengers on public transportation in the Philippines?

Amy

Dear Amy,

Please be informed of Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) 8750, otherwise known as the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, which states that:

«Section 4. Mandatory Use of Seat Belts. — For their own safety, the driver and front seat passengers of a public or private motor vehicle are required to wear or use their seat belt devices while inside a vehicle of running engine on any road or thoroughfare: Provided, That for private vehicles, except for jeeps, jeepneys, vans, buses and such other private vehicles as may be determined in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), front and back seat passengers are likewise required to use their seat belt devices at all times.

»In the case of public motor vehicles, the driver shall be 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 not be allowed to continue his/her trip. x x x"

Based on the above-stated law, front seat passengers who take public motor vehicles are required to wear seat belts upon boarding the vehicle. To ensure compliance with the law, drivers are required to immediately inform the front seat passengers to do so. In case a passenger refuses to wear the seat belt, he/she shall not be allowed to continue his/her trip.

To give teeth to this policy, Section 12 of the above-stated law provides for penalty in case of violation of its provisions, viz.:

«Section 12. Penalties and Fines. — In the enforcement of this Act, the LTO shall impose fines