SOME 120 motorcycle riders have surely learned their lessons after being arrested on Tuesday, the first day of implementation of the Helmet Ordinance in Dagupan.

The driver is slapped with a P500 fine and each back-rider is also fined P500. Those who could not pay the fine on the spot had their motorcycles impounded, and had to pay an additional P100 fee to reclaim these.

Dagupan is so far the only local government unit in the province that has adopted a Helmet policy through City Ordinance No. 1292-2008, which reinforces a memorandum earlier issued by the Land Transportation that makes it mandatory nationwide to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.

Members of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) and the police had their hands full arresting motorcycle riders without helmet during the first day of implementation of the ordinance.

The ordinance also imposes P500 fine to anyone caught without protective helmet. The motorcycles are impounded if the driver does not have a license or drives with an expired license, or if the unit has no registered plate number or not registered at all.

Some 90 motorcycles were impounded by POSO on the first day.

Councilor Jesus Canto, principal author of the ordinance, said statistics showed that most who figured in motorcycle accidents died due to head injuries.–LM

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