Filipino drivers and riders continue to defy road safety laws particularly the use of seatbelt in vehicles and the use of helmets for motorcycle riders, the police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

This is what HPG personnel observed during the conduct of their nationwide One-Time, Big-Time operations since December 2 last year. The HPG has already conducted 11 major operations across the country, the latest was on February 15.

“Our data revealed prevailing trends of the most committed traffic law offenses, and as such we see a consistent failure of many motorists to either wear their seatbelts or use proper helmet,” said Tagum.

Almost 8,000 vehicles and motorcycles were impounded during the 11 operations and more than 55,000 citation tickets were issued that include violations of the seatbelt and helmet laws.

Based on the HPG data, a total of 7,621 motorcycle riders were apprehended for not using a helmet from December 2 to February 8 while a total of 8,667 drivers were also accosted for not using the seatbelts in the same period.

During the February 15 operation, a total of 1,426 violators were apprehended for not using a helmet.

Republic Act 8750, or the Seat Belt Use Act of 1999, requires mandatory compliance by motorists of private and public vehicles to use seatbelt devices while R.A. 10054 mandates all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective helmets while driving.

This is the reason, according to Tagum, why they continue to conduct nationwide One-Time, Big-Time operation under the HPG’s Oplan Lambat Bitag Sasakyan.

“These operations serve as an effective tool in raising the public’s awareness on the country’s traffic rules and regulations. At the same time, we hope that our Oplan Lambat Bitag Sasakyan would be able to promote road courtesy and discipline, reduce road crashes that lead to injuries and death, and control crimes along our highways and streets,” said Tagum.

Tagum said the Oplan Lambat Bitag Sasakyan also enforces Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749), Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 (R.A. No. 10586), and Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2016 (R.A. No. 10913).

“While we sustain this operation, it is our hope that the public will share the responsibility of advocating these and all relevant laws so we could all establish safe, courteous, and disciplined road use in every community,” said Tagum.