SADDLETALE: 5 laws to follow to be a safer motorcyclist on the road
Gilbert Chao · Aug 8, 2023 08:28 PM
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PHOTO BY GILBERT CHAO (AUTOFUN PHILIPPINES).
With the rising number of motorcycle-based taxis and delivery services, there’s a corresponding increase in the population of two-wheeled vehicles on the road.
Unfortunately, this upward trend has also resulted in a higher incidence of motorcycle road crashes in the first four months of 2023.
The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group has reported approximately 4,000 incidents from January to April this year, which already account for nearly half of the 8,342 incidents recorded in the whole of 2022.
The MDPPA is an organization of local motorcycle manufacturers – Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – and its focus is not just about selling bikes.
The organization actively promotes road safety through regular and free safety riding seminars. It also works closely with the government to help formulate regulations for the betterment of the riding public.
The MDPPA reminded us of some of the important traffic laws to follow so that you can be a safer motorcyclist on the road.
Land Transportation and Traffic Code (R.A. 4136)
This covers the rules and regulations for driver’s licenses, general traffic rules, vehicle registration and operation, traffic enforcement and penalties, traffic safety education and more.
Land Transportation Office Memorandum Circular 2019-2176, in consonance with R.A. 4136, requires the strict implementation of standardized driver education.
This aims to enhance awareness of safety when using public roads and ensure effective communication with other road users.
This is the fundamental law that every road user, both motorcycle riders and vehicle owners, should know well.
Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 (R.A. 10054)
PHOTO BY GILBERT CHAO (AUTOFUN PHILIPPINES).
It requires all motorcycle riders to wear approved protective helmets and imposes penalties for non-compliance to the standards.
Furthermore, R.A. 10054 encourages efforts to promote the proper usage of helmets to lessen motorcycle crash fatalities. Failure to comply will result in fines:
₱1,500 for the first offense
₱3,000 for the second offense
₱5,000 for the third offense
A fourth offense will lead to a ₱10,000 fine and confiscation of your driver’s license.
Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 (R.A. 10586)
One of the most common causes of road crashes is driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous drugs.
Riders (or cagers) who break this law will face severe penalties depending on the situation. Violators who do not cause physical injuries or homicide will pay a fine ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱80,000 and face three months imprisonment.
If the road crash leads to physical injuries, individuals at fault will be subjected to a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱200,000, on top of any other applicable criminal charges.
Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act of 2015 (R.A. 10666)
This legislation strictly prohibits “any person to drive the vehicle (motorcycle) with a child on board on public roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles” unless the rider meets the criteria for exemption.
Otherwise, an individual found riding with a child on a busy street will be subjected to corresponding fines:
₱3,000 for the first offense
₱5,000 for the second offense
₱10,000 for the third and succeeding offenses, with a one-month driver's license suspension
Anti-Distracted Driving Act (R.A. 10913)
This law prohibits all riders and drivers from utilizing gadgets whenever on the road, including reading, creating and sending messages or accepting and making calls.
See those delivery riders with little cocktail umbrellas attached to their handlebars? Those are intended to shield their phone screens from glare… yep.
If a motorist violates this law, he or she will pay a fine of ₱5,000 for the first offense and ₱10,000 for the second offense. For the third offense, the violator will face a ₱15,000 fine with a three-month driver's license suspension.
In the fourth and succeeding offenses, the motorist will be fined ₱20,000, along with having his or her driver’s license cancelled.
Are you aware of these laws and do you follow them to the letter?
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SADDLETALE is the weekly column of AutoFun Philippines Motorcycle Editor Gilbert Chao. Read about his thoughts on two-wheelers every Wednesday!
A moto-journo who spends most of his time on the saddle unless otherwise saddled with desk work. His curious nature and poor sense of direction often take him on unplanned adventures.
