Citom to go after motorbike drivers without helmets

MOTORCYCLE drivers and riders must wear their old helmets pending the availability of helmets with Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks for imported ones or Product Standard (PS) stickers for locally made, otherwise they will be apprehended by the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom).

Both ICC marks and PS stickers are issued by the Bureau of Products Standards, under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Citom Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said City Ordinance No. 2139 requires drivers and their riders of motorcycle or motorized scooter to use crash helmets.

The purpose of the city ordinance is to prevent drivers and their riders from exposing themselves to extreme risks and hazards of severe head injuries in case of accidents.

Under Ordinance 2139, a violator is penalized with a fine of P1,000 to P3,000, or imprisonment of less than six months or both, at the discretion of the court.

However, if the violator opts not to be criminally prosecuted in court, he can agrees to pay a fine of P2,000. This option can only be availed once.

Jakosalem said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 will only start apprehending violators of Republic Act (RA) 10054 or the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010 on the first week of August yet.

LTO 7 Director Raul Aguilos made the announcement during a forum last Wednesday attended by officials of the LTO, DTI and the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Under RA 10054, motorcycle drivers and riders who will not wear helmets with ICC marks or PS stickers will be apprehended and will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, P5,000 for the third offense, and P10,000 and confiscation of driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding violations.

Helmet manufacturers, importers or distributors who will not comply with the law will be fined from P10,000 to P20,000.

Jakosalem said the report that LTO will only start apprehending violators in August may be misconstrued by motorcycle drivers and riders that they can drive or ride motorcycles even without helmets within the next three months.

“Citom enforcers will apprehend drivers and riders of motorcycles without helmets based on City Ordinance 2139,” Jakosalem said.