THE Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Mindanao will strictly implement the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 starting November 1 in close coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The Motorcycle Helmet Act penalizes motorcycle riders who fail to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets. It is designed to protect the life of the motorcycle drivers, as well as back riders.
Statistics have shown that most fatalities from motorcycle accidents were attributed to non-use of the headgear.
Under the law, any person caught not wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet while driving or riding a motorcycle whether short or long distance shall be punished with a fine of P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, P5,000 for the third offense and P10,000 and confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.
Police Chief Superintendent Jufel C. Adriatico, newly installed regional director of PNP-Northern Mindanao, has ordered for the dishing out of a directive, emphasizing that PNP personnel should serve as the model in abiding traffic rules and regulations.
The directive is reportedly in response to an article written by a certain Mr. Contreras that some PNP personnel are not wearing helmet and are also violating the “no plate, no travel policy,” as well as beating the red light.
Adriatico said PNP personnel who will be caught violating the “no helmet, no travel policy” and the “no plate, no travel policy” and other traffic rules and regulations will not just be penalized through fine but will also face administrative charges for their failure to follow a lawful order.
He said if found guilty, the personnel would be suspended.
“Beating the red light can only be justified if the PNP personnel is conducting a hot pursuit operation,” Adriatico added. (PR)
Related story: Mandatory helmet bill passed into law
