Helmet law enforcement delayed until 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Motorcycle riders have until the end of the year to get helmets that meet safety standards, afterwhich they risk being ticketed. 

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to push back the enforcement of the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 to give the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) more time to inspect existing helmets and those imported into the country.

DTI wants to ensure that all helmets carry Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers issued by the Bureau of Products Standards.

The law and its implementing rules and regulations are supposed to take effect on August 1. From August 1 until the new implementation date, Jan 1, 2013, motorcyle riders wearing helmets without the ICC seal will not be issued tickets by traffic enforcers.

Riders may get their helmets inspected and validated at the nearest DTI office in their areas.

In Metro Manila, motorcycle helmet owners can go to the following DTI offices for inspection, validation and sticker marking:

• Area 1 – Pasay City: Mezzanine Floor. Roxas Strip Bldg., cor. Arnaiz Avenue
• Area 2 – Makati City: Rizal Memorial Baseball Coliseum, P. Ocampo cor. Vito Cruz
• Streets, Manila City (entrance at main gate along Vito Cruz St.)
• Area 3 – Mandaluyong City: Highway 54 Plaza, 986 Stanford St., cor. EDSA
• Area 4 – Valenzuela City: The New City Hall Comp., MacArthur Highway, Bgy. Karuhatan

In a press release, DTI reminded the public that the inspection and validation is completely free and all processing fees have been waived. Motorcycle owners only have to bring a photocopy of a government-issued Identification Card (ID) such as driver’s license with them.

Drivers who don’t comply with the law or motorcycle dealers who sell substandard helmets not bearing the proper ICC sticker will be penalized starting January 1.

DOTC secretary Mar Roxas reiterated in a statement that his department keeps safety in mind despite the delay in the law’s implementation. “We want to ensure the orderly implementation of the Helmet Law with the safety of the riding public as our foremost objective,” said the transport secretary. – Rappler.com