Motorcycle drivers banned from using helmets

While the rest of the world requires motorcycle drivers to wear helmets for their own safety, this city is ordering the contrary. The reason? To prevent motorcycle-riding criminals from further victimizing people.

Motorcycle drivers banned from using helmets
By Mars S. Marata /MindaNews / 01 September 2005
PAGADIAN CITY — While the rest of the world requires motorcycle drivers to wear helmets for their own safety, this city is ordering the contrary. The reason? To prevent motorcycle-riding criminals from further victimizing people.

Mayor Samuel Co announced that effective last Monday, executive order number 72, series of 2005 will be implemented as a trial move to avert crimes involving the use of motorbikes. His EO, which will effect for three months, will reportedly be used as gauge by the city council if they will pass a permanent ordinance.

Once implemented, EO 72 will challenge the recently approved city ordinance that requires the wearing of helmets and other safety gears while driving along city roads.

Referring to a local study, Co pointed out that 95 percent of the crimes involving carnapping and shooting were committed by suspects aboard motorcycles complete with either helmets or bonnets.

With the use of helmets now banned, it would be easy to identify suspects who pass along major routes in the city, Co said.

This order also sets the minimum speed when traveling within the city to 20 kph. Hidden cameras will be set up to capture images of the motorists and pedestrians for easy identification.

Observance of this order starts from barangays Balintawak in the western part, Tiguma in the eastern part and Bugo in the southern part of the city.

In neighboring Dipolog City, local officials are also contemplating on effecting a similar ordinance following complaints from residents that most of the robberies and traffic related crimes were committed by suspects wearing helmets and other head gears.