Motorists and bikers are urged to wear protective gears like helmets and safety shoes when on the road for safety during travel.

Dr. Norman Tanchuan, Provincial Health Officer said that because vehicular accidents is one among the top ten leading causes of death and injuries in the province, there’s a need to strictly enforce laws for use of protective gears when driving to save lives.

House Bill 4751 proposed by Rep Narciso D.Santiago III pushed for mandatory use of helmets when riding bicycles, non-motorized scooters, roller skates and skateboards. Santiago said, riding anything with wheels is very dangerous and most of the times, people are exposed to various injuries, especially head traumas.

The bill provides that a person who intends to ride bikes, non-motorized scooters, roller skates and skateboards must wear helmets properly set by an appropriate agency or by any applicable international standards.

The bill when enacted into law will apply at all times when the bicycles, non-motorized scooters, roller skates and skateboards are operated on any street, roads, parks or other property open to the public or used by the public for pedestrian or vehicular traffic as well as places of recreation.

Tanchuan strongly supports the bill because from saving precious lives it can trim down admission in hospitals caused by accidents/injuries due to non-wearing of helmets. Police/traffic officers are also enjoined to strictly enforce laws on violation of motorists for proper use of protective gears.