DOTr, LTO suspend DL of motorist who let a child take the wheel

For many from the Baby Boomer, Gen-X, and Millennial generations, the first experience behind the wheel often involved sitting on a parent’s lap during a Sunday drive, learning the basics of driving at an early age. For a child, that moment is often a dream come true—a fun and memorable experience that becomes a cherished father-child bonding moment. It’s a memory that remains etched in their minds forever.

However, as fun as the experience may be, it's actually a reckless act on the road and poses a concern for road safety. Among the most vigilant is the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary himself, Vince Dizon, who takes matters of road safety with utmost seriousness.

“Hindi mo pwedeng pagmanehuhin ‘yung bata mong anak na walang student permit, tapos musmos pa. Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo, sumunod na lang tayo sa batas, dahil baka hindi lang license suspension ang abutin mo, pwedeng makulong ka pa,” said Sec. Dizon.

(You cannot let your child drive who has no student permit, and is still a baby. The President’s instruction is for us to just follow the law, because you might not only get a license suspension, you could also be jailed.)

Sec. Dizon has ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the license of a driver whose dangerous act of letting a child steer the vehicle in a viral video has drawn a strong condemnation from the DOTr.

According to a Show Cause Order issued by the LTO, the incident took place on August 12 inside a mall parking lot in Parañaque City. The driver was seen with a child on his lap, allowing the toddler to control the steering wheel.

Apart from the 90-day driver’s license suspension, the driver is also ordered to appear before the LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) to explain why his driver’s license should not be revoked by the agency.