Sun.Star: MMDA wants motorcycle plate numbers on helmets
06/25/2007 | 08:10 AM
The policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wants to require motorcycle owners to display their license plate numbers on the sides of their helmets.
Sun.Star Manila reported Monday that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) passed a resolution to the effect this during its sixth meeting at the MMDA office in Makati City.
Authorities came up with the measure in a bid to curb robberies, assassinations and other crimes committed by motorcycle-riding men in Metro Manila.
Under the "Dual Motorcycle and Helmet License Plate Numbers Policy," the license plate numbers on the helmet should be on a water-proof sticker permanently placed on both sides of the headgear and should be large enough to be seen by the public.
The resolution also requires that the license plate sticker should be readable from a distance of 25 meters and should be placed 40 mm high on the helmet.
MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando said the resolution would take into effect 15 days after it had been published in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
The resolution adopted MMDA Resolution No. 07-07 passed in February implementing the "No Face Shield" policy for back riders of motorcycles plying main roads and secondary streets.
The policy requires the use of a helmet where the shield for the face is tilted upward so that the face of the back rider would be revealed and identifiable by the public.
A fine of P300 will be levied against violators of the policy.
During the meeting, Bayani also called on the Metro Manila mayors to enact a common resolution stipulating that failure to put the license plate numbers on their helmets should be treated as a criminal offense and not as a mere traffic violation.
"No plate on the helmet should carry with it stiffer penalties like impounding of the motorcycle and appropriate fines and charges because there is a deliberate attempt by the felon to conceal his identity and avoid positive identification by the public," he said.
Attending the meeting were Mayors Feliciano Belmonte Jr (Quezon City), Vicente Eusebio (Pasig), Sherwin Gatchalian (Valenzuela), Imelda Aguilar (Las Piñas), Vice Mayor Marion Andres (Marikina) who represented Mayor Marides Fernando and representatives from the other local government units in Metro Manila and the Philippine National Police.
For now, Bayani said the resolution does not carry the payment of fines for those found in violation of the policy.
"The main punishment here at present is the delay one has to incur since he will be investigated by our traffic enforcer and even the police for verification if he violates the policy," Bayani said.
Chief Superintendent Rey Roderos, who represented the PNP during the meeting, noted that high-profile cases of motorcycle-related robbery and snatching rose to 106 last year while 36 similar cases have been reported during the first quarter of 2007.
A recent case involved the foiled bank robbery of a Metrobank branch in Makati two weeks ago wherein two robbers who were conducting surveillance and backup for their companions were apprehended after a brief firefight that resulted in the death of four thieves. - GMANews.TV
Sun.Star Manila reported Monday that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) passed a resolution to the effect this during its sixth meeting at the MMDA office in Makati City.
Authorities came up with the measure in a bid to curb robberies, assassinations and other crimes committed by motorcycle-riding men in Metro Manila.
Under the "Dual Motorcycle and Helmet License Plate Numbers Policy," the license plate numbers on the helmet should be on a water-proof sticker permanently placed on both sides of the headgear and should be large enough to be seen by the public.
The resolution also requires that the license plate sticker should be readable from a distance of 25 meters and should be placed 40 mm high on the helmet.
MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando said the resolution would take into effect 15 days after it had been published in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
The resolution adopted MMDA Resolution No. 07-07 passed in February implementing the "No Face Shield" policy for back riders of motorcycles plying main roads and secondary streets.
The policy requires the use of a helmet where the shield for the face is tilted upward so that the face of the back rider would be revealed and identifiable by the public.
A fine of P300 will be levied against violators of the policy.
During the meeting, Bayani also called on the Metro Manila mayors to enact a common resolution stipulating that failure to put the license plate numbers on their helmets should be treated as a criminal offense and not as a mere traffic violation.
"No plate on the helmet should carry with it stiffer penalties like impounding of the motorcycle and appropriate fines and charges because there is a deliberate attempt by the felon to conceal his identity and avoid positive identification by the public," he said.
Attending the meeting were Mayors Feliciano Belmonte Jr (Quezon City), Vicente Eusebio (Pasig), Sherwin Gatchalian (Valenzuela), Imelda Aguilar (Las Piñas), Vice Mayor Marion Andres (Marikina) who represented Mayor Marides Fernando and representatives from the other local government units in Metro Manila and the Philippine National Police.
For now, Bayani said the resolution does not carry the payment of fines for those found in violation of the policy.
"The main punishment here at present is the delay one has to incur since he will be investigated by our traffic enforcer and even the police for verification if he violates the policy," Bayani said.
Chief Superintendent Rey Roderos, who represented the PNP during the meeting, noted that high-profile cases of motorcycle-related robbery and snatching rose to 106 last year while 36 similar cases have been reported during the first quarter of 2007.
A recent case involved the foiled bank robbery of a Metrobank branch in Makati two weeks ago wherein two robbers who were conducting surveillance and backup for their companions were apprehended after a brief firefight that resulted in the death of four thieves. - GMANews.TV
