MANILA, Philippines – MMDA bats for passage of law on motorcycle riders safety

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Philippines:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=637594&publicationSubCategoryId=200 MMDA bats for passage of law on motorcycle riders safety

By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com) Updated December 09, 2010 11:25 AM Comments (4)
MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pushing for a passage of a law requiring motorcycle riders to wear appropriate safety gear to curb the increasing number of fatal road accidents involving motorcycles.
In addition to the appropriate safety attire, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the use of good quality helmets that conform to international standards should also be strictly enforced among riders, as well as the prohibition of a third passenger.
“There is an existing policy on this by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), as well as other similar city ordinances in effect. But unfortunately, there is laxity in the enforcement of these rules. I believe it is best to turn this policy into law for it to have more teeth,” Tolentino said.
LTO Administrative Order Number AHS-2008-015 prescribes rules and regulations on the use and operation of motorcycles on highways.
Under the policy, failure of the driver and/or the passenger or back rider to wear the standard helmet would have him fined P1,500. Drivers must also not wear flip flops, sandals or slippers or drive bare-footed or be fined of P500, P700 and P1,000 and revocation of driver’s license for the first, second and third offenses, respectively.
Tolentino has ordered the agency’s traffic enforcers to strictly implement the “no helmet, no travel” policy on major thoroughfares and secondary roads.
He noted that this is for the protection of the riders and warned that violators will be apprehended and meted the corresponding penalties.
“I’m appealing to the local government units to likewise be strict on this matter and introduce other measures that will promote the safety of the riders,” Tolentino said.
As an additional safety feature, Tolentino also wants motorcycles to have a system where the headlights automatically switch on during engine ignition. He said headlights should be on even during daytime to allow maximum visibility in the roads.
“I understand that several manufacturing firms have been putting this feature on their motorcycles. We hope that this will become a standard regulation among companies manufacturing and selling motorcycles,” he said.