Sun Star Bacolod

Helmet Law

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BACOLOD City Councilor Dindo Ramos, vice chairperso­n of the City Council committee on police matters, might have a point. “If this ordinance was strictly implemente­d, it saves many lives and properties,” he said

City Ordinance 832, series of 2017, an ordinance regulating the practice of riding-in-tandem on motorcycle­s, made it unlawful for any driver and his back rider to ride in tandem on a motorcycle on any given day from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Councilor Ramos said there were several unsolved cases in Bacolod City, especially the shooting incidents involving riding-in-tandem suspects, adding it has become very alarming. we are enforcing our ordinance, we can solve and reduce the crime incidents.” “If

But it’s not just riding-in-tandem assassins that our law enforcers have to contend with.

Two years ago, the Philippine National Police (PNP) sought the assistance of the Congress for the enactment of a law that would compel motorcycle riders to use half-face helmets as part of proactive measures against riding-in-tandem criminals.

Republic Act 10054 (RA 10054), or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, requires motorcycle riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets.

These motorcycli­st killers are the most compliant of this law. Most motorcycle riding-intandem criminals use below 400cc motorcycle­s in their criminal trade. In almost all cases, motorcycle riding-in-tandem wear a full-face helmet to conceal their identity whenever they pull off a heist or kill somebody.

Early this year, assassins hit Police Station 6 Deputy Chief Senior Police Officer 4 Oscar Exaltado on his way to work. There were two armed suspects, each riding a motorcycle. Meaning they have their own motorbikes.

Can we ask our local Sanggunian­g to enact an ordinance requiring a half-faced helmet?

According to the PNP’S Highway Patrol Group, most of the accidents involving motorcycle­s are due to overspeedi­ng which sometimes causes fatal injuries to the riders.

But if they are within the speed limit, it will not cause that serious injury. “So I don’t see why they need full-face helmet [for 400cc below],” says Chief Supt. Abner Escobal, director of the PNP’S Highway Patrol Group.* (bqsanc@yahoomail.com)

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