House sets debate over motorbike bill

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives committee on transportation has approved for plenary debate a measure requiring all motorcycle drivers to turn on their headlights while driving at all hours of day or night on all types of roads.

Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Gaviola Mercado, chairman of the panel, said House Bill 3375 is a proactive and preventive measure, given the increasing frequency of accidents and mishaps involving motorcycles in the country. Buhay party-list Reps. Mariano Velarde and William Tieng are the bill’s principal authors.

Velarde said by making it mandatory for motorcycle drivers and operators to automatically turn on their headlights, it will be easier to detect approaching motorcycles.

“The mandatory headlights on policy will enhance visibility for motorists and can be considered as a low-cost method to reduce crashes and collisions,” he said.

The bill mandates motorcycle manufacturers, assemblers and distributors to properly install an automatic headlights-on system, mechanism or device in each motorcycle before selling it.All headlights must be of sufficient intensity to reveal a person or a vehicle at a distance of not less than 30.5 meters.

No new motorcycle shall be allowed initial registration and renewal of registration unless it is equipped with the necessary automatic headlights-on system, mechanism or device, according to the bill.

Under the bill, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall enforce the implementing guidelines and mobilize available resources to ensure the effective implementation of the measure.

Motorists, drivers, owners or operators who fail to ride with headlights on at all times shall be penalized with a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and suspension of driver’s license for one month.

All manufacturers, assemblers, importers and distributors of motorcycles found without an automatic headlights-on system face a fine of not more than P20,000 and suspension of the license to manufacture, assemble, import or distribute for one year.