A TOTAL of 86 motorcycle riders were arrested by Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) in Bacolod City from August 1 to 4 for failure to install barriers as part of the measures to protect riders against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Police Lieutenant Colonel Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, said from August 1 to 3, a total of 70 violators were arrested in various areas of Bacolod and another 16 violators were arrested yesterday.
He said the violators were arrested for not observing the social distancing or failure to put up barrier on their motorcycles.
He added the violators were fined for violation of Executive Order (EO) No. 35 for not observing social distancing amounting to P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, P1,500 for the third offense and fourth offense revocation of driver's license, and violation of of City Ordinance No. 926, the mandatory wearing of face mask and observance of social distancing, which was implemented by Task Force Disiplina, amounting to P200, and P300 for non-residents of Bacolod.
Acebuche pointed out that only the motorcycle drivers were given citation tickets.
" Not all motorcycle drivers are required to set up a barrier. If they are traveling alone, there's no need to set up a barrier same as to the tricycle driver who are required to follow the 50 percent passengers capacity and the putting up of plastic barrier," Acebuche said.
If the motorcycle driver fails to present pertinent documents of the unit, he said the motorcycle will also be impounded.
He added that they will continue their operation to arrest the erring drivers who fail to put up a barrier on the motorcycle.