The Land Transportation Office in Negros Oriental has arrested drivers of nine government, and 99 private motorcycles, since the start of the intensified implementation of the Helmet Law, or Republic Act 10054, in the province on Jan. 3.

LTO records show that the nine government service motorcycles apprehended included three registered in the name of the Dumaguete City government, two from the Traffic Management Office, two from the Capitol, and two from the Sibulan government.

LTO personnel and 23 deputized members from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office conduct daily operations to ensure that motorcycle drivers and their back-riders are wearing the prescribed protective headgear.

Violators are fined P1,500 for first offense; P3,000 for the second offense; P5,000 for the third offense; and P10,000 for the fourth violation, and confiscation of the driver’s license.

RA 10054 states that motorcycle drivers and riders have to wear the standard protective helmets while driving, whether for long or short-distance trips, in any type of road and highway.

Meanwhile, the provincial Highway Patrol Group said that 26 motorcycles were reported missing in Negros Oriental from April to November 2012.

Agent Dominador Cimafranca of the National Bureau of Investigation said in a recent Peace and Order Council meeting, that eight motorcycles were also reported stolen in Dumaguete City last month alone.

Cimafranca said he is concerned over the increased number of lost motorcycles in Dumaguete. Both the HPG and NBI have to coordinate closely and relentlessly conduct the campaign against carnapping to ensure that criminal elements involved will have no opportunity to operate in the province, he added.*JG

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