THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) and local traffic enforcers apprehended 484 motorcycle drivers and impounded 141 motorbikes in the past four days of intensified operations in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.This came after the full implementation of the 'No Helmet, No Ride Policy' stated under Republic Act 10054, or the 'Motorcycle Act of 2009.'Moises Sernal, head of the newly organized City Traffic Management Enforcement Unit, said they managed to flag down 1,285 motorcycles during the January 16 to 19 series of traffic enforcement operations together with personnel from the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and the Land Transportation Office–Region 12 (Soccsksargen).'At least 484 were penalized because of traveling without wearing helmets including their back riders,' Sernal said.He added that at least 141 motorcycles were also impounded due to violations that included expired registrations and driving without a license.LTO-12 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga, who supervised the four-day operations, met with Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista to discuss further collaboration for the enforcement of appropriate traffic laws in the city.Evangelista reminded the LTO-12 team to exercise fairness in conducting the apprehension of violators.He said the LTO-12 leadership wanted to make the city a model for the strict implementation of the 'no helmet, no travel policy' in the region.In December, the city government distributed about 500 standard helmets to motorcycle drivers in the city.Evangelista said he ordered strict compliance with the 'no helmet, no travel' policy following an increase in motorcycle accidents in the city recently that claimed several lives.'We have no other intention here but to save the lives of motorcycle riders for their families,' Evangelista said.
