The Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental announced yesterday that dented motorcycle helmets and those with tampered marks on it are no longer allowed by legal standards even if they carry the required PS or ICC mark.

The announcement came as the province gears up for the full implementation of the mandatory helmet law on August 1, as stipulated in Republic Act 10054.

Angeline Gonzalez of DTI said damaged helmets are no longer safe for motorists as the impact of a crash would diminish its durability inside and out, even if the cracks or damage is not visible.

She said some DTI personnel are trained to detect the telltale signs of damage, as well as tampered markings or dents on helmets. The DTI continues to accept applications for the issuance of ICC (Import Commodity Clearance) and visor stickers for helmets purchased before RA 10054 became law.

Roland Ramos, chief of the Land Transportation Office-Dumaguete District, said his men and other deputized traffic law enforcers will inspect the helmets of motorcycle drivers and passengers if these comply with quality standards.

Ramos said teams from the national and regional LTO are expected to be deployed to Negros Oriental on August 1 to ensure that the law will be fully implemented, although he said he will ask the central office not to send in a team anymore since the local LTO is capable of handling the task.

Alberta Janine Lawas, chief of the LTO-Bais City District Office, also said they are preparing for the Helmet law implementation.

She said that during roadside inspections, other violations like the absence of accessories on motorcycles or four-wheeled vehicles not having the prescribed pair of yellow and red triangles as early warning devices, will also result to fines for erring drivers.

The EWDs have to be brought to any LTO office for inspection and approval, and for official stickers to be attached to them, Lawas added.*JFP

back to top