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AO 2008-015 and motorcycle owners
Land Transportation Office (LTO) may have all the good intentions in implementing Administrative Order (AO) 2008-015 prescribing the rules and regulations for the use and operation of motorcycles on highways. It could be high time to strictly regulate the use and operation of motorcycles since almost everyday, the media is full of reports of accidents involving motorcycles. But in imposing restrictions there must be some sort of consideration especially on provisions which are highly inapplicable in the local setting. That is why we believe motorcycle owners have a point in raising objections to certain provisions of AO 2008-015.
Take for example the AO's provision on the use of leather boots, heavy pants, heavy jackets and leather gloves by motorcycle riders. Such provision is apparently impractical especially if the motorcycle owner merely travels a short distance, say from their home to the market, to the workplace or school. Besides at this time of crisis imposing such things would be a burden to the motorcycle owner who must have bought the motorcycle to save from paying fares when riding public utility vehicles.
Another thing is the provision in AO 2008-015 which says that there should only be one back rider in the motorcycle. Well, that's the ideal, but LTO officials and men very well know that motorcycle here in the Philippines is a poor man's partner. Aside from using it for transportation purposes, the motorcycle is also used in business by some of its owners. So, apparently it would be very impossible for the motorcycle to have only one back rider. In fact, in the municipalities motorcycles are used to carry passengers going to the hinterlands. Does this mean such practice will no longer be allowed? Then how can people living in those places not reached by passenger jeepneys reach their destination?
AO 2008-015 also provides that the motorcycle or scooter shall not carry cargo other than the saddle bags or luggage carriers specifically designed and approved by the Department of Trade and Industry. Again, these provision is quite impractical. What about those who use their motorcycles in their business endeavors in which saddle bags or luggage carriers could not be enough to carry their cargo? Even delivery boys of newspapers (including TNT of course) who normally put the newspapers at their back would be violators of the AO.
Another questionable provision of AO 2008-015 is the one pertaining to the modification of the original standard design of a motorcycle or scooter which shall first be subject to the approval of LTO and DTI. As my lawyer friend Atty. Daniel Cartagena said, such provision is impairment of the vested rights of the motorcycle owner. Who could prevent the owner from putting additional accessories to "beautify" his motorcycle? It's his property so he can do whatever he wants. Comparatively, if the modification of the original standard design of a motorcycle is prohibited then why do we have tricycles? Why do we have the "habal-habal"? In a broader perspective why does the LTO allow the registration of lowered jeepneys and other types of modified vehicles?
Maybe, LTO officials should reconsider implementing the AO to the letter. Imposing on the riders the use of standard helmets as well as requiring them to have their motorcycles equipped with required accessories such as headlight, backlight, signal light, brake light, side mirror and horn would already suffice. By the way, most accidents involving motorcycles are caused by drunkenness.