Catanduanes Forum

I moved back here after many years living in Manila and abroad.

Something that immediately struck me was the number of motorcyclists here who do not use crash helmets. The authorities are very strict on enforcing this law in Manila, but I see the majority of motorcyclists here transgressing this rule seemingly without penalty.
I read in local press a few weeks ago that there had been a period of roadside checks specifically addressing this issue of crash helmets. Was this 'window dressing'?, because clearly the rules are still being ignored by most.

The fine for not wearing a helmet is Php 750.00

The rule is a good one for the sake of life and limb. I am sure medical staff must be tired of dealing with mortalities and injuries that might have been avoided by the adherence to the rules. Just imagine the emotional and economic cost on a family who loses a key breadwinner.

Why do the LTO and traffic police not take enforcement of the traffic laws more seriously? Their inability to do so is there for everyone to see.

Perhaps the problem is that the laws may be lifted from those of the developed world and are politically and economically difficult to enforce in a developing country. When you are struggling to put food on the table and your only means of transport is your old faithful 175cc, it is difficult to find the money for servicing, new tyres etc.

Is the fare for tricycles set by the local authority designed to incorporate elements not only to enable the driver to feed himself and his family, but also to maintain his vehicle in a roadworthy condition? I use tricycles a lot and wonder how many of them pass their periodic checks (if there are any). Steering, speedometer, brakes and lights are often not up to the standards of normal safety requirements in my opinion. Or are the fare levels set so as not to cause disatisfaction from the fee paying passengers?

Extracts from ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. AHS-2008-015
Effective 1 September 2008
[A fuller version is available at http://www.harleycam.com/ADMINISTRATIVE_ORDER_AHS-2008-015.html)

Section VII. Wearing of Standard Helmet.

It shall be the duty of the motorcycle or scooter driver/rider to ensure that he/she and the back rider wear standard helmets.

Section VIII. Motorcycle and Scooter Accessories.

Motorcycles or scooters shall be equipped with required accessories such as headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, side mirror and horn.

The driver/rider shall, anytime of the day, switch on the headlight of the motorcycle or scooter while it is being operated on the highway. He shall dim the headlight or lower the beam whenever the motorcycle or scooter is being operated on well-lighted streets within the limits of cities, municipalities, and thickly populated barrios or districts, or whenever it meets another vehicle along a highway.

The LTO list of fines is at:
http://www.lto.gov.ph/fines2.html