‘Sikad’ reflectors to be required soon

CEBU, Philippines - Trisikads, whether for private or public utility, having no reflectors but granted passageways in some of the streets will soon be penalized in Talisay City.

In a move to "prevent road accidents," Councilor Socrates Fernandez pushed Ordinance No. 2014-18-1 banning on the streets non-motor vehicles that do not have illuminating devices.

Under the ordinance, trisikad operators and owners are required to install reflectors or battery-powered blinkers on the front and back of their units.

 "A number of traffic accidents [have] caused casualties, collisions or hitting involving trisikad that pass some of our streets during evening. The main cause was due to the trisikads moving our streets in the evening without lights or any indication that these trisikads are there or are passing," Fernandez said.

Fernandez is the chairman of the committee on laws.

"All trisikad drivers shall observe this ordinance as one of accident preventions to report immediately to City of Talisay-Traffic Operation Development Authority for record purposes once reflectors or blinkers are installed," he added.

Violations will carry corresponding penalties. First-time offenders may claim their confiscated vehicle only upon payment of a P300 fine and presentation of reflector materials to be mounted on the vehicle.

Second-time offenders shall pay a P500 fine and be required to install the reflector on the vehicle, while third-time offenders shall be fined P1,000 or be meted a week-long jail term, or both, at the discretion of the court.

On the fourth violation, the owner of the trisikad shall be ordered cessation and disallowed to operate any trisikad units. (FREEMAN)