at last, the helmet law is working..
By Cutie18f
@Cutie18f (9546)
Philippines
January 4, 2013 4:22pm CST
I can now see majority of motorists in our city wearing helmets. This has been a big problem in our city because motorists did not want to wear helmets. The imposition of the helmet law had been postponed for years and finally now I am happy to see motorists wearing them.
Old habits are hard to die. This could be the reason why motorists in our place find it hard to abide by the law. They are not used to wearing the helmet. Many of them say it affects their vision, others say it does not look good, other also say it is expensive, while still others reason out that it is cumbersome to be carrying a helmet wherever they. These reasons sort of softened the imposition of the law, but now the government is now going after those not abiding the ordinance. Stiff fines are imposed on those caught not wearing helmets.
I know that in other countries this is not an issue, but when you live in a country like the Philippines, you will see that people are not so keen on their safety on the road. Traffic rules are broken much of the time in favor of convenience.
What do you think?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
4 Jan 13
we need that law her bad in mexico. many get 2-3 on motor ccyle and no helmets. Have a great day there...
@prashu228 (37518)
• India
5 Jan 13
Even in our country we have the law only two people can go on the motorcycle but the law is only for name sake we can see especially youngsters who ride the bike at high speed with 3 to 4 people. Th police just take the fine and leave them. 
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
4 Jan 13
I am surprised that some countries still allow motorcyclist to ride without helmets, certainly in the UK it is actually illegal to be on a motorbike without a helmet, it's not just to prosecute, it's to safeguard people from horrific injuries. So what if it doesn't look good or kewl, if it's a choice of wearing one and saving your life, I know I'd rather wear one. A lot of people of bicycles I have noticed also wear cyclist helmets, the roads are so dangerous that it's very wise. We do live in a fast paced life, where speed is the essence, but that shouldn't over-ride safety, not just of the cyclist but other people using the road, including pedestrians!
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
4 Jan 13
You will be surprised that it is only in our country where motorists just fly on the roads without helmets. I am glad that now there is already a law on this. Another thing which we do not practice is the wearing of seat belts while traveling. We hav a lot of things here that are really different from other countries.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
5 Jan 13
Everytime I did a long travel, I always used helmet but when I drive my motorcycle from house to our shop, a 7 kilometers away, I didn't use helmet because I am not comfortable. We bring lot of things to our shop everyday so wearing helmet is not compulsory
@jenny1015 (13359)
• Philippines
14 Jan 13
It is high time for Filipinos to start following rules set by the government most especially those concerning the road side rules and regulations. We have long been left out with following rules. And it has made a bad impression with forigners.
@prashu228 (37518)
• India
5 Jan 13
hi
Even we face this problem . Though the law is passed the police are strict only for few days and collect taxes from the people if they dont wear helmets. But after some time every thing is normal no one is bothered who wear helmet or not. The police are more interested in making money rather than making the people to follow the rules.
But yes wearing helmet is very important while driving. But some especially the youngsters are not at all interested in following the rules. Hope they becomes strict here too.
Good to know that people in your country are following /started following the law.
@allen0187 (59828)
• Philippines
22 Jan 13
hi cutie18f.
the memorandum circular for RA 10054 or better known as the helmet law was issued last december 26, 2011 and after which there was a massive information campaign in the first six months of 2012. after all those efforts by the local and national government and respective agencies, there really is no excuse for a motorcycle rider not to wear the proper head gear. i think it is not so much the passing of the law but more importantly the strict enforcement of the law that needs to be looked at.
anyway, motorcycle riders should bear in mind that this law was passed for not just for their safety but for their passengers as well. i really don't see any problem with the government enforcing the law. i think it is high time that we lower the deaths and injuries due to motorcycles accidents and thsi starts by wearing the proper helmet.
cheers and happy mylotting!!!
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
5 Jan 13
i've never been interested in driving or owning a car, and i don't think anybody in my family will ever buy a motorcycle. my father got mad at my niece when he saw her riding at the back of one with her friend at the wheel. but i've always used the seatbelt as a passenger, whether in front or behind, with family, relatives, friends or co-workers, even in vans, fx, and taxis many, many years before it was required.
there are other countries in the region that are as bad as ours. i have read that it's even harder to cross the road in other asian countries, while in oil-rich countries you can get run over by a teenager in a mercedes as soon as you get off the bus. meanwhile in developed countries, kids have to use car seats and sit in the back.
