(CNN Philippines) — Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista recently signed into law a city ordinance regulating child “back riders” on motorcycles.
The said ordinance, which was approved last April 15, allows children as passengers on motorcycles only if they are:
tall enough to reach the motorcycle’s foot pegs while sitting down
big enough to wrap his/her arms around the waist of the motorcycle driver
wearing a protective helmet during while riding the motorcycle
The ordinance, introduced by Councilor Melencio “Bobby” Castelo Jr., mentioned a study conducted by Safe Kids Philippines, a non-government organization that works to prevent child injuries. The study said “at least 35,000 Filipino children are victims to road accidents each year” and that many of the children involved in accidents “are either disabled or killed.”
At least one fatal road accident happened in the metro daily, with Quezon City accounting for the most number of fatal road accidents at 141. Both data were based on Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s 2013 figures.
Anyone violating the ordinance will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
