Implementing Helmet Law a challenge in C. Visayas, LTO 7 saysAmid hike in motorcycle registration
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, June 22 (PIA) -- As registration of motorcycle vehicles continue to increase, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 said it is a challenge to strictly implement the Helmet Law with minimal manpower.
LTO 7 regional director Raul Aguilos said last year, there were 75,830 new registrations of motorcycles in the region while for the past four months alone, 24,000 new registrations of motorcycles were recorded by their office.
“If you multiply 24,000 by four for four quarters in a year, new registrations of motorcycles would be estimated at almost 100,000 for 2012,” said Aguilos.
Aguilos also said the renewal of motorcycle registrations in Cebu province alone in 2011 was recorded at 245,535.
“From January to April, this year, renewal of motorcycle registrations was at 106,037 which if multiplied by four would be more than 400,000 in Cebu alone,” he said.
Given the increasing number of acquisition of motorcycle vehicles, Aguilos said it would be a challenge to strictly implement RA 1054 or the "Act Mandating All Motorcycle Riders to Wear Standard Protective Helmet While Driving."
The LTO and the Department of Trade and Industry are the two main agencies tasked to strictly implement the law.
Aguilos said they have deputized the police as well as the local traffic enforcement team of local government units especially in metro areas to help in the apprehension of violators come August 1 when the implementation goes into full-swing.
The LTO-7 chief said they would be concentrating their road inspection on national roads and highways particularly in urban areas.
Aguilos admitted that habal-habal drivers plying national highways would be liable in case their back ride is not wearing the approved standard helmet.
“Habal-habal is illegal although it is accepted as a means of transport in areas where no other available means of transport exist especially in mountainous areas, said Aguilos.
Habal-habal is a term referred to motorcycles being used as a public transport.
One of the main objectives of the law is to reduce the incidence of motor vehicular accidents, said Aguilos.
“Sixty percent of roadside accidents involved motorcycles while 50 percent were fatal accidents,” revealed Aguilos.
With the law, it is hoped that the incidence of motor vehicular accidents would decrease, ended the LTO 7 director. (PIA 7, Cebu)