TBK tells why we should wear proper motor cycle helmets

    Four people on a bike, non with helmets, on the way back from Port Barton

I learnt to drive age 17 and have now been driving for 46 years in USA, UK and the Middle East , and now the Philippines. At one point in the UK I was driving up to 4 hours a day for work in all kinds of weather ( snow, ice, rain, snow, fog and occasionally bright sunshine). My dad was a doctor and we often got called to accidents near our house and I saw the damage done when a motorbike collides with a car. I have survived a few accidents myself, paid a lot of fines for speeding offences ( UK and Bahrain) and attended several defensive driving courses.

        Source: https://www.tradearabia.com/news/OGN_300464.html

In Bahrain I was tasked with implementing an on line Defensive driving programme in English and Arabic and had the honour of training our Chief and Deputy Chief Executive. 

           Running a Defensive Driver programme back in Bahrain

In the past few weeks here in Palawan I have seen several nasty road accidents and witnessed some pretty stupid driving practices.

                 Pictures from the web of accidents in Manila

In this blog I would like to focus on one group - those riding mopeds and motorcycles. For many Filipinos it is the only transport they can afford and as the weather is warm they usually ride in tsinellas ( sandals or flip flops) shorts and a tee shirt. In the UK , where the weather is colder, a "professional " biker would wear leather boots, jeans, knee pads, leather trousers and jacket and a proper helmet with a visor. Even in Bahrain with the temperature in the 40's the groups of Bikers who toured the island at the weekend were fully dressed. 

                            A Bahrain Biker - from Facebook

The big difference I notice here in Palawan is the lack of use of a helmet. It is legally required for all passengers and the driver and should be properly fitted and worn at all times. Due to a lack of enforcement outside the city ( Puerto Princessa- PPC) there appear to be 3 methods of helmet use.

1. In the provinces and country areas helmets are rarely worn

2. If a rider is going to PPC they will carry the helmet and put it on when they approach the city

3. In the city they are worn but often not done up 

So here is the bad news. If you collide with a car, lorry, tree, Carabao or dog on a bike you will be thrown off and may well land on your head. If you are not wearing a helmet ( regardless of whether there are Traffic Enforces to fine you) you will crack your head open. If you are wearing a helmet and it flies off you will land on your skull. If your helmet is a good fit and secure it may save your life.

                   Pictures from the internet of accidents in Manila

However for some people they only care as to whether they will be fined. 

So here is what the law says in the Philippines:

"It is illegal in the Philippines to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, and you can be apprehended and fined when you fail to wear appropriate head protection.

A helmet is one of the most effective protections that a rider has in the event of an accident. As a result, the government has made it illegal to ride without any protective gear to promote the use of this protective gear.

A rider traveling on any form of road or highway, whether a short or a long trip, is required by law always to wear a standard protective helmet when traveling on any form of road highway. RA No. 10054 is also known as the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, one of its provisions."

Source: https://manilashaker.com/penalties-for-helmet-violations/ ( accessed 7.3.23) 

The article continues:

"Make sure you wear a full-face helmet when riding a motorcycle to avoid being arrested. ICC stickers, which confirm compliance with local safety standards, should also be attached to the helmet.

What Helmets Aren’t Allowed

The Philippines does not allow you to ride a motorcycle if you wear a helmet that is not designed for motorcycles. Helmets that are designed for biking, skateboarding, and other activities are some examples of these. Aside from that, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet sticker with the ICC, even if it is the right kind."

In terms of the fines it depends how stupid you are- the more times you offend the more you pay:

"If you fail to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in the Philippines, you will be fined between Php1,500 and Php10,000.

• First offense: ₱1,500
• Second offense: ₱3,000
• Third offense: ₱5,000
• Fourth and subsequent offense: ₱10,000"

So please do not tell me you cannot afford a helmet. Can you afford the fine? Can you live with killing a passenger, maybe a family member, that you did not make wear a helmet when riding on your bike?

  The pictures I have downloaded from the web and are mostly from Manila

I hope I made my point and if I can stop one fatal accident my blog will have been worthwhile

Thanks for reading- Ingat Palagi- stay safe always!