Soria requires personnel to use helmet with ICC sticker

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
October 17, 2012

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  PNP PRO 8 is strictly enforcing compliance for all its personnel with the use of standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving.

In line with the implementation of R.A. 10054, an act mandating all motorcycle riders to wear standard helmet gears when driving, PNP PRO 8 in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a helmet stick marking for free at the PRO 8 Grandstand today, October 17, 2012.

Over One Hundred Sixty Two (165) helmets were validated and issued ICC stickers from One Hundred Six (106) personnel by the DTI representatives.

DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras stresses that helmet stick marking is free of charge. “All you have to do is to come to our office and bring with you your helmets for inspection/evaluation, your official receipt/certificate of registration, and fill out the application form,” Nierras said.

Attorney Lemuel R. Montes, OIC, DTI Consumer Welfare Division explains that under the said law, all motorcycle drivers and back riders are required to wear at all times standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving whether long or short drives and in any type of road or highway.

On the other hand, sellers and/or dealers are required to sell or offer for sale only certified helmets that have passed through product testing and have complied with the specifications issued by DTI and with PS or ICC marks. Selling of uncertified helmets constitutes a violation and is a punishable offense, says Mr. Irlando D. Tuazon, Senior Trade and Industry Specialist.

Motor vehicle dealers are also advised to have available standard motorcycle helmets so that in every purchase of motorcycle unit, the customer may have the option to buy a certified helmet from them.

Administrative sanctions of the Act include, among others: any person caught not wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet shall be punished with a fine of P1,500 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second offense; P5,000 for the 3rd offense and P10,000 plus confiscation of driver’s license for the 4th and succeeding offenses.

DTI is very strict with the standards because, “if any accident happens, most of the time the only thing that can save your life is a helmet which is not substandard, because if it is not, there is no guarantee that your head will be protected from a fall”, PRO 8 Regional Director PCSupt Elmer Ragadio Soria added.