Mayor Cris Garbo announces road disciplinary measures. Photo courtesy of Mabalacat City News
MABALACAT CITY – Starting February 1, tricycles will be banned along major thoroughfares here while a “No Helmet, No Travel Policy “will be strictly implemented in the city.
This was the announcement of Mayor Crisostomo Garbo during the distribution of financial aid to hundreds of Mabalaqueños over the weekend.
Garbo vowed to lead the operation once the ban is implemented to ensure the safety of his constituents.
Garbo said his directive will be based on Republic Act 10054 or the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009” as well as the provisions of 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.
“Magdatun ku king dalan. Aku mismu. (I’ll man the roads. I’ll personally do this),” the mayor said.
The implementation of the mandatory wearing of helmets by motorcycle drivers and back riders in the city as well as the proper use of the inner and outer lanes of major roads and the national highways by tricycles and motorcycles will be in full swing starting Feb. 1.
This is for the safety of the people, our loved ones, our families,” Garbo said.
Under the law, 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.
Garbo also said he is confident that the Mandatory Helmet Act will serve its purpose which is to reduce the high number of serious injuries and deaths in accidents involving motorcycles.
“From narrow streets to major thoroughfares, motorcycles and scooters are common sights every day and night. Studies show helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries to motorcyclists. Wearing of helmets will greatly reduce fatalities in road accidents and will also boost a sense of discipline in all motorcycle riders,” Garbo said.
The mayor appealed to motorcycle and tricycle drivers for their full cooperation and to “make it a habit” to use the outer lanes of the roads to avoid penalties and accidents.
“Please wear your helmets as early as now para masanay na kayo. We will go on road-side inspections and operations. Tricycles and motorcycles, please stay on the outermost lane. We need you to work hand in hand, step by step with us because we can’t do this by ourselves. We’ve already cleared any obstructions that are still left on roads particularly in main thoroughfares to ensure the safety of all our motorists,” he said.
The United Nations (UN) reported that some 1.3 million people die every year around the world from road traffic crashes and half of those people are pedestrians, bicyclists or people on motorcycles.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the period from 2011 to 2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety to spur national and global efforts to halt or reverse the increasing trend in road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide.
It was learned that last year, 75 percent of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office responses were to motorcycle-related accidents.
