Friday, October 03, 2008 Citom to start arresting drivers wearing slippers, wrong helmets
TRAFFIC enforcers in Cebu City will start apprehending motorcycle drivers who do not wear closed shoes, following the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) clarifications on their order.
However, the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) will not yet enforce the prohibition on modified motorcycle parts and design, until it can agree with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on a set of guidelines.
City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem welcomed yesterday the LTO’s move to put on hold the implementation of other restrictions specified in Administrative Order AHS 2008-015.
“That’s better than nothing. It’s a victory for motorcycle drivers and owners who opposed the LTO order. The revisions are good enough because with the original order, people were confused about the restrictions,” Jakosalem said.
For now, aside from those who violate the Cebu City ordinance prescribing the use of helmets, the Citom will now also apprehend those who wear slippers while driving motorcycles.
LTO 7 officials announced yesterday that they will only be enforcing the restrictions on the use of helmets and footwear.
Citom is deputized by the LTO, and can apprehend motorists who violate not only the city’s traffic rules but also those crafted by the LTO.
“LTO will only be concentrating on the requirement to use crash helmets and the footwear, so that’s what Citom will also do. They will have to wear the prescribed helmet and closed shoes, and I agree with that because when they are sideswiped and wear only slippers, they are likely to be injured,” said Jakosalem.
The order imposes a fine of P500 to P1,000 on drivers who are caught wearing slippers, sandals or flip-flops or those caught without footwear while operating a motorcycle on a road or highway.
A P2,000 fine will also be imposed on drivers who modify any part of the original design of their motorcycle or scooter without approval from the LTO and the DTI.
For failing to wear the prescribed helmet, the driver can be fined up to P1,500.
Insurance
Meanwhile, transport leaders opposed a proposal to require life insurance for those who want to secure a professional driver’s license.
LTO 7 Director Raul Aguilos had invited representatives from the transport and other sectors to a discussion on the implementation of the Driver’s Enhancement Program.
However, the forum turned out mostly to be a presentation by insurance officials led by Roy Palad and Eden del Rosario, general manager of Centennial Insurance Corp.
Maribel Salazar of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) explained that the insurance business for applicants for a driver’s license was introduced in at least three provinces.
Clifford Nińal of Citrasco, Julie Flores of the Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators’ Association and Nick Villahermosa of the Cebu Provincial Bus Association, among others, opposed the proposal to require life insurance for those seeking a driver’s license.
Members of Nagkahiusang Drivers sa Sugbo (Nadsu) also vowed to block the proposed requirement. They said that drivers are already included in the required third party liability insurance of the vehicles they drive.
They denounced Efren de Luna of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations for reportedly supporting the insurance requirement and speaking in behalf of the drivers. (LCR/EOB)
