Overtaking other dangerous diseases like dengue, traffic accidents are one of the major causes of death among children. In Metro Manila alone, about two children die daily due to road accidents and there are 394 fatalities for both adults and children due to road-related accidents in the Metro (Kim, 2022). Moreover, the common causes of these accidents are over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, bad overtaking, improper turning, and jaywalking. Due to the increasing number of road accidents, the government implemented laws and policies that could lower, if not zero out the cases. And one of these is the RA 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999.
RA 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 is an act requiring the mandatory compliance by motorists of private and public vehicles to use seat belt devices, and requiring vehicle manufacturers to install seat belt devices in all their manufactured vehicles. This was approved on August 5, 1999, and effective nationwide starting May 1, 2000. It mandates that the drivers and the passengers should always wear their seat belts. This also bans children six years and younger from occupying the front seat of any vehicle with a running engine even if the child is wearing a seatbelt.
The purpose of this law is to reduce the chance of death and injury when an accident happens. Because wearing seat belts keeps you in place during impacts, preventing you from hitting the dashboard or other passenger, and also stops you from being thrown out of the car. It is designed to work with your airbags and it also reduces the risks of serious injuries and death. And not wearing one prevents your auto insurance from declining to cover damages in an accident. The only disadvantage of wearing a seat belt is that it can be a bit uncomfortable for others. However, that disadvantage cannot outweigh the advantages it gives for our safety.
However, despite its advantages and the fine for violating this law, putting on a seat belt is still not followed by many. Because buckling up has not become a habit in the Philippines and mothers tend to put their children in their lap instead of putting them in baby car seats and putting seat belts too. But putting on a seat belt won’t take us too much time. It is a simple yet effective way to keep our safety while on the road.
References:
Breathe Easy Insurance (2017). The Top Seven Benefits of Wearing a Seat Belt. Retrieved from https://www.breatheeasyins.com/top-seven-benefits-wearing-seatbelt/
Kim (2022). Car Accidents in The Philippines: Causes, Facts & Latest Statistics. Retrieved from https://philkotse.com/safe-driving/road-accidents-in-the-philippines-causes-facts-latest-statistics-5455
Sanchez (2022). Republic act 8750 on seat belt law in the Philippines: Know it, Follow it. Retrieved from https://philkotse.com/safe-driving/republic-act-8750-on-seat-belt-law-in-the-philippines-know-it-follow-it-5274