Use a bigger car if you have big kids, says LTO exec
A Land Transportation Office (LTO) official said Monday that families with big-bodied children should use bigger cars if they want to comply with the law on child restraint systems (CRS).
LTO Law Enforcement Service Acting Director, lawyer Clarence Guinto made this remark during a DZMM interview wherein the radio anchor asked him what the proper recourse would be if child restraints make the car too cramped for big or tall children.
"Kung 12-years-old sobrang tangkad, lalagyan ng booster (CRS) tatama ulo sa kotse, hindi ba delikado? (If there's very tall 12-year-old and you place a booster under his seat, wouldn't that be dangerous because his head will hit the roof of the car)?" asked anchor Amy Perez, who is a mother.
"Tama po yun. Siguro laki-lakihan mo yung sasakyan mo (That’s correct. You should use a bigger car)," Guinto said.
"Wala po ako ganun. Ang pinag-uusapan yung karamihan sa ating pamilya (I don't have that. What I'm talking about are most families)," Perez said, as if finding the LTO official's answer insensitive. There's an ongoing pandemic, after all.
"Hayaan mo (Don't worry) we will take note that ma'am Amy at tingnan namin (we will look into it)," the lawyer said.
The Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act or the Child Car Seat Law requires the use of CRS or car seats on top of regular seat belts in private vehicles for child passengers who are 12 years old and below and are shorter than 4’11". LTO will begin its enforcement Tuesday.
According to Guinto, the use of CRS or car seats aims to keep child passengers firmly secured in their seats and save them from fatal injury or possible death in case of a road crash.
"This is for the protection of the children, 12 years old and below, kaya (that's why) we are seeking the cooperation of the public na makiisa dito sa patakarang ito (to follow this regulation)," he said.