MMDA to strictly enforce 'no helmet, no travel' policy

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said it will be seriously enforcing the “no helmet, no travel” policy for motorcycle drivers and passengers on the streets and roads of Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the move is part of the agency’s series of measures promoting road safety. Tolentino also called on the various local government units to assist the MMDA in this endeavor. “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.

According to Tolentino, motorcycle riders who will be caught without the required crash helmets will be flagged down by MMDA traffic enforcers and will be issued traffic violation receipts that carry corresponding fines.

Tolentino said that at present, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order number AHS-2008-015 prescribes rules and regulations on the use and operation of motorcycles on highways. One such rule, he said, is the wearing of proper crash helmets for both passengers and drivers of motorcycles.

Tolentino, however, laments that there is laxity in its implementation, especially by the traffic enforcement groups of the various LGUs.

Tolentino said that under the LTO policy, failure of the driver or the passenger or back rider to wear the standard helmet would mean payment of a P1,500 fine. The policy also requires motorcycle drivers to wear shoes while driving. Drivers caught wearing sandals or slippers or driving bare-footed will be fined from P500 to P1,000 and have their licenses to drive revoked on the third offense.

According to the MMDA, there were 9,339 road accidents reported in Metro Manila from January to August this year. Many of these accidents involved motorcycles, it said. - Mike Frialde