Stiffer penalties eyed for PUV overloading

OVERLOADING of public utility vehicles (PUVs) may soon be a crime.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito has sought to criminalize overloading to prevent road accidents, which are the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

Ejercito, vice chairman of the Senate committee on public services, filed Senate Bill 1446 or the Anti-Overloading Act in line with the celebration of the 4th United Nations Global Road Safety Week.

He said the measure imposes stiff penalties, including imprisonment for drivers and operators of PUVs. 

“We have to update and strictly implement the law... Drivers of public utility vehicles have a habit of overloading at the expense of the comfort and safety of passengers,” Ejercito said.

He said in Metro Manila alone, a person is killed in road accidents every 17 hours. 

Ejercito also pushed for the passage of Senate Bill 1447 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act. The bill seeks the use of a child restraint system to protect infants and children during accidents.  

He said the Seatbelt Law only protects adults.