Philippines: Fuss over helmet law and safety of riders

As an Injury Law Attorney, I try to follow articles concerning how other nations deal with the very same issues we face state side.  Motorcyclists in the Philippines are not like those in the U.S. who spend excessive time arguing whether or not safety should be left to the individual driving the motorcycle, or to state officials.

Local citizens of Seares continue to fuss about the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010, not because they oppose the actual helmet wearing, but rather which helmet they must wear. There have been numerous concerns which confuse the central issue including:

• The Mandatory Helmet Act was signed in 2010, the guidelines surrounding the Act were released in late 2011, and the deadline for switching to the approved helmet moved from July 2011 to August 2011, then finally December 2011. Officials believe that plenty of time was given for citizens to switch to the proper helmet, citizens feel otherwise.
• People suspect corruption in using only approved helmets. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has an old reputation for bribing, which still many still keep in mind today, even under PNoy rule. However, today there is a wide range of options for helmet buyers, contrasting the early warning devices (EWDs) of the past when a single brand was forced on bikers.

Despite all of the criticism, one thing is clear: the motorist must buy the helmet from any source that supplies the approved brand and passes Philippine Standards (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC). Motorists must know that the approved helmet requires a hard outer shell (to protect the head from penetration by deadly objects), a soft inner shell (to act as a cushion when the head receives any type of impact), and a retention system (to keep the helmet properly in place). Not every helmet complies with those three criteria. The Act’s main focus is still on public safety: to discontinue the use of a helmet that doesn't aid in preventing head injury, traumatic brain injury, or death. Any motorist who doesn’t get the true purpose of the Mandatory Helmet Act is most likely endowed with a cranium thick enough to survive any crash, and may not need any helmet at all. If you have been physically injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, call the Florida injury attorneys at Dolman Law Group at: (727) 451-6900, for a free consultation and case evaluation.  Our injury law attorneys handle motorcycle injury claims throughout the State of Florida.