Deaths caused by vehicular accidents in Bacolod City have increased by 76 percent from January to August this year compared to the same period last year, City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, said yesterday.

There were only 21 fatalities from vehicular mishaps last year while there are already 37 this year, de la Paz said.

Out of 37 casualties, 17 were motorcycle-related while 12 were pedestrians, a police record showed.

De la Paz said it is important to wear helmets, as, in most motorcycle-related accidents, the passengers and the drivers were not wearing helmets. He also reminded pedestrians to always use the pedestrian lanes in crossing the streets.

Based on the record of the Bacolod City Police Traffic Management Unit, 3,998 motorcycle drivers were apprehended for not wearing crash helmets from April to August this year.

De la Paz also expressed alarm over the growing number of motorcycle drivers caught with passengers below 7-years-old, which is prohibited by law.

Under the law, children should not be allowed to ride motorcycles as they lack the physical development to pay attention and properly secure themselves while riding. Anyone violating it will be meted a fine of P3,000 to P10,000.

Since the BCPO launched the “Oplan Katawhayan sa Dalan” in April, a total of 894 drivers were given violation tickets for having passengers below 7 years old, de la Paz said.

De la Paz stressed that they will intensify their campaign against drivers who continue to allow passengers aged 7 years old and below.

He also reported that a total of 1,574 motorcycles have been impounded because their drivers failed to present official receipts and certificates of registration, while 3, 022 were issued “clean stickers”.*APN

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