Healthy public policy

Compulsory Use of Seat Belts

Compulsory Use of Seat Belts

by Joyce Arianne Gomonit -
Number of replies: 0

The compulsory use of seat belts, or particularly the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 (RA 8750), mandates the installation and use of seat belts. This is implemented to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers in any private or public motor vehicle. Clearly, the biggest advantage of wearing seat belts inside vehicles is that it prevents a person from being thrown out of their seat if a sudden impact/collision occurs while inside a vehicle. This then helps reduce the incidence of serious injuries from road accidents if followed regularly. I think a disadvantage, albeit a minor one, would be the discomfort it may bring when worn for too long. However, solutions have been made for this already (e.g., the creation of seat belt shoulder pads, seat belt adjuster clips, etc.) and the pros of wearing seat belts will always outweigh its cons.
Sadly, the Seat Belts Use Act is not strictly followed from where I am from (in a city in Bulacan). Traffic enforcers are present on the road but they do not mind when drivers inside public/private vehicles are not wearing their seat belts.