10-Wheel Truck Runs Over Three Year Old Girl

Here is another article about the results of the bad driving habits in the Philippines. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/19/three-year-old-girl-dies-parents-injured-in-bacolod-accident

A three-year-old girl was killed while her parents were injured after their motorcycle was hit by a 10-wheel truck on the circumferential road in Barangay Villamonte here on Tuesday, April 18.

Injured were Jude Jett Areglo, 40, of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, and Sheila Mae Niem, 23, according to the police.

Based on initial investigation, a truck driven by Jemmy Panes of Victorias City was tailing the motorcycle driven by Areglo.

The motorcycle was able to cross the road before the red light, but Panes allegedly beat the red light, leading him to hit the motorcycle.

Areglo lost control over the motorcycle and they all fell to the ground.

The truck then ran over the child that resulted in her immediate death.

Police are preparing the filing of charges against the truck driver, who is detained at Police Station 4.

Having observed how traffic operates in the Philippines two things can be assumed here, one of them for sure based on the article. First of all it is doubtful anyone on the motorcycle was wearing a helmet. I have seen so many families piled dangerously onto motorcycles with no one wearing a helmet. It is dangerous and simply not worth the risk. The motorcycle is not a family vehicle.

Yes it is illegal in the Philippines to ride with children on your motorcycle if their feet cannot reach the pedals. 

Section 4. Prohibition. – It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a two (2)-wheeled motorcycle with a child on board on public roads where there is heavy volume of vehicles, there is a high density of fast moving vehicles or where a speed limit of more than 60/kph is imposed, unless:

(a) The child passenger can comfortably reach his/her feet on the standard foot peg of the motorcycle;

(b) The child’s arms can reach around and grasp the waist of the motorcycle rider; and

(c) The child is wearing a standard protective helmet referred to under Republic Act No. 10054, otherwise known the "Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009."

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2015/ra_10666_2015.html

Can a three year old's feet reach the foot pegs os a motorcycle or grasp around the waist of the driver?  NO!!  She should not have been on the motorcycle and her parents are not free from blame for her death. But will they be prosecuted? Doubt it!

Second of all the article tells us that the truck "beat the red light" which led to him hitting the motorcycle. That means he sped up at the yellow instead of hitting his brakes. I have seen that happen so many times it is ridiculous. Trucks will keep plowing through the light AFTER it has turned red. It's a wonder that these accidents don't happen every day. 

But they do happen. And it's high past time police patrol the roads and enforce the traffic laws. From R.A. 6975 which set up the PNP and lays out their duties we read:

Sec. 35 (B) (8) Traffic Management Unit. – Headed by a Director with the rank of chief superintendent, the Traffic Management Unit shall enforce traffic laws and regulations.

https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1990/ra_6975_1990.html

So, why aren't the cops patrolling the roads and enforcing the laws?