Owing to the increasing number of road crash accidents in the province, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) has recommended the passage of a provincial ordinance requiring all drivers and riders of motorcycle, bicycle, electric bicycle or e-bike, tricycle, kurong-kurong (makeshift sidecar) and farm machinery to wear high visibility vests and visibility stickers when passing through the national highway and all provincial, city/municipal or village roads within the province at night.
“It is worth investing in ourselves for our safety,” said provincial board member Elmer Faylogna on Friday as he welcomed the crafting of the ordinance at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Faylogna said the proposed high visibility vest ordinance aims to promote road safety among drivers including back-riders and pedestrians, particularly during nighttime when most or 80 percent of fatal road crash accidents happen.
“For now, the proposed ordinance is currently being finalized for approval by the provincial board,” said Faylogna as he presided over a public hearing attended by concerned local authorities as well as groups of drivers and riders at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall.
To ensure its strict implementation, it was proposed that the office of the provincial administrator in cooperation with the municipality and Barangay local government units will work together with the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office to deputize apprehending officers with a corresponding penalty ranging from PHP500 to PHP1,500 for first, second and third offenses.
Latest data from the Ilocos Norte police showed 46 road crash accidents during the first quarter of this year or a 60-percent rise compared to 18 during the same period last year.
As most of the accidents were caused by “human error,” Col. Julius Suriben, INPPO director, said there is also a need to strengthen the ethics and education of drivers. (Leilanie Adriano)
(Source: PNA Ilocos Norte)