THE Mabalacat City Government is strictly enforcing its "No Helmet, No Travel" policy since February 1.

On Monday, February 10, members of the Mabalacat City Traffic Enforcement Group apprehended policy violators along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Dau.

The city policy is based on Republic Act 10054, or the "Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009," which states that all motorcycle riders -- the driver and back rider -- must wear standard protective helmets while driving motorcycles, whether on long or short drives, at any time of the day, in any type of road and highway.

Citing statistics, Mayor Crisostomo Garbo said helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries to motorcyclists.

Aside from the helmet policy, the city is also strictly enforcing the provisions of the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation Code on the proper use of the inner and outer lanes of major roads and the national highways.

Garbo earlier appealed to motorcycle and tricycle drivers to "make it a habit" to use the outer lanes of the roads to avoid penalties and accidents.