LTO: New rules for motorcycles and scooters

SHOOTING STRAIGHT By Valeriano Avila | Updated September 18, 2008 - 12:00am

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Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Regional Director Ed Cataronga yesterday gave me a copy of
LTO Administrative Order no. 2008-013 on the “Rules and Regulations for the Use and Operation of
Motorcycles on Highways” which is quite interesting for me because I’m a Big Biker. These regulations
are for all two-wheeled bikes.

Section VIII states, “Motorcycle and scooter Accessories: Motorcycles or scooters shall be equipped with
required accessories such as headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, side mirror and horn. The
driver/rider shall anytime of the day switch on the headlight of the motorcycle or scooter while it is being
operated on the highway. He shall dim the headlight or lower the beam whenever the motorcycle or
scooter is being operated on well-lighted streets within the limits of cities, municipalities and thickly
populated barrios or districts.”

Turning on your headlights even during daylight is a safety feature that was adopted in many western
countries more than ten years ago. It is only now that finally, the Philippines have adopted this safety
measure. All motorcycles, whether a big bike or a small scooter have to have their headlights switched on
even during daytime.

On Section XI: Wearing of flip-flops (tinsels) or slippers is now prohibited. This is another safety feature
that I have always wanted to see adopted by the LTO. And finally on the proper use of a safety helmet,
Section VII says “Wearing of Standard Helmet. It shall be the duty of the motorcycle or scooter driver/rider
to ensure that he/she and the back rider wear standard helmets.” By this it means DTI approved helmets.

Has the DTI cracked down on stores selling motorcycle accessories that sell to unsuspecting buyers
unauthorized or non-DTI approved helmets? If so, perhaps the Cebu Chamber of Commerce Industry
should look into this? These stores selling accessories should not be allowed to sell such helmets that
give only a false sense of security for our bike riders. It also means that using a construction hardhat, a
soldier’s helmet or even a bicycle helmet isn’t acceptable for use in motorcycles/scooters. So if you get
apprehended on these deficiencies, don’t say that you didn’t know about it. Radical!
December 17th, 2004, 02:06 PM
Welcome to the MCP Forums Night. :) It's nice to know that a non-motorcycle enthusiast refered to this
forums for an inquiry. Unfortunately, the topic had to be derived from an accident involving a motorcycle :(
.

For me, I dont have to read a law to have or use side mirrors because I believe that side mirrors are one
of the most important items of a motorized vehicle aside from maybe the engine or the brakes. I guess
motorcycle riders remove their side mirrors because it's cumbersome to slice thru traffic since the
tendency is for the side mirrors to hit another car's when splitting lanes. :rolleyes:

Same holds true with wearing a helmet. For me, it's just common sense to wear an appropriate helmet
(with all due respect to those who choose not to wear helmets). Oh, yes there is a helmet law but it
doesn't specify what helmet is appropriate, so that's why you see a lot of motorcycle riders wearing what
resembles a baseball slugger's helmet or a construction worker type helmet just to tell an apprehending
policeman that 'I'm wearing a helmet.' In reality, some just choose not to wear them because of the heat.
:W But that's another story all together... :)

TPL insurance to my knowledge is mandatory when you register a motor vehicle.

:cheers:

Radical!
December 19th, 2004, 12:10 PM
Sometimes motorcycle riders/owners are not the only ones without side mirrors. :) At times I see cars with
empty (stolen or destroyed) side mirrors and sometimes folded side mirrors on the street :O . I guess it
really isn't important for other people. :rolleyes:

Anyways, thanks so much for the welcome. I hope I get a bike one day :) Though I guess the RP is not
very conducive to biking, due to pollution, heat and crazy drivers. Considering the increased danger of
being in a bike vs. car, if I get on a bike, I'd definitely wear all the protective gear I can get! That's what I
used to say before I started riding again... :rolleyes: It's a misconception that the Philippines is not
conducive to riding but it really is much better to ride a motorcycle than a car because of our traffic. I
believe that if you cut the motor vehicle population to 50% cars and 50% motorcycles, the MMDA will not
have to spend so much money trying to figure out how to solve the traffic problem in the Metro... :C
Go take a bike of a friend and try it out for a day or two... maybe you can judge for yourself... :banana:
Oh, yes, don't forget to wear your protective gear... :)

Good luck! :)
:cheers: