Police: ‘Helmet Law,’ a challenge

THE full implementation of the Helmet Act of 2000 may pose serious challenge to police going after motorcycle-riding criminals.

“THE helmet policy is a challenge to the police in terms of arresting and identifying motorcycle-riding criminals,” Senior Supt. Louie Oppus of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said.

Oppus said security cameras installed in streets and training would help police identify motorcycle-riding criminals who are wearing full-face helmets.

He said policemen are also trained to identify  motorists in  full-face helmets through their facial features.

Oppus said checkpoints and the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) will also identify and arrest criminals.

The Helmet Act of 2010 or RA 10054 strictly requires motorcycle riders (drivers and passengers) to wear crash helmets that pass quality standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Violators will be fined P1,000 for the first offense; P3,000, second offense; P5,000, third offense; and P10,000 and confiscation of driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding violations.

Helmet manufacturers, importers or distributors who will not comply with the law will be fined from P10,000 to P20,000.

Oppus said the DTI and the LTO would soon provide the public the “proper” design of the helmet to be used by motorists. /Reporter Rhea Ruth Rosell