A student was summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after photos of her riding a motorcycle without a helmet were uploaded online.
The agency said on Thursday, May 28, that it had issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) to the registered owner and driver of the motorcycle after photos of the vehicle being ridden without a helmet on a public road went viral.
A photo showed a female student driving the motorcycle without protective headgear, while another showed her riding as a back rider without a helmet. The driver was also not wearing one.
The LTO said it had ordered the motorcycle owner and the driver to appear before the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) at the LTO Central Office on June 1 to explain why they should not be held liable for violating the Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmets regulation and the Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.
Meanwhile, the motorcycle has been placed under alarm status, while the driver’s license has been placed under a 90-day preventive suspension and must be immediately surrendered to the IID.
LTO Chief and Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao also said that the individual in the viral photo is not an employee of the LTO, even though the uniform resembles those worn in some of the agency’s offices.
“Hindi po empleyado ng LTO ang indibidwal na nasa viral na larawan base sa paunang beripikasyon. Gayunman, hindi ito dahilan upang balewalain ang malinaw na paglabag sa batas trapiko, lalo na kung usapin ng kaligtasan sa kalsada ang nakataya,” he said in a statement.
“Patuloy nating pinaaalalahanan ang lahat ng motorcycle riders at backriders na magsuot ng standard protective helmet sa lahat ng oras. Hindi lamang ito pagsunod sa batas kundi proteksyon mismo sa kanilang buhay,” Lacanilao added.
The Republic Act 10054, or Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 requires drivers and back riders to wear a standard protective helmet at all times while riding, whether on short or long rides and on any type of road or highway.
The LTO said that failure to comply with the law may result in fines, accidents and even possible loss of life.
First-time offenders face a fine of P1,500, while fourth-time offenders may be fined P10,000 and have their driver’s license confiscated.
