MALASIQUI: Drivers of two and three-wheelers, including golf carts and similar types, will be required to wear high-visibility reflective vests or luminous color garments when traveling along Pangasinan roads from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Aug. 1.
Motorcycle passengers are also required to wear reflective vests, according to Provincial Ordinance No. 325-2024 approved on July 1 and published in local newspapers for two weeks.
‘In case the motorcycle rider or back rider carry with them a backpack or have rear top boxes that may impede the proper view of their vests or garments, similar reflective materials should be attached to the backpacks or top boxes,’ the ordinance stated.
The reflectorized vests or luminous garments would allow other motorists to see the riders even at night time.
Violators will be warned for the first offense but will be slapped a PHP1,000 fine for second offense, PHP2,000 for third offense and PHP5,000 and or imprisonment of not more than one year at the discretion of the court for
the fourth offense.
Pangasinan Police Provincial Office information officer Capt. Renan dela Cruz, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said police, village and traffic officers have been mandated to monitor compliance with the ordinance.
‘We have dedicated personnel to implement the ordinance but for now, we have to inform all the riders of this first,’ he said. ‘This is to prevent accidents and for the overall safety of the motorists.’
The Pangasinan police recorded 853 road accidents from Jan. 1 to June 30 this year. Of the total, 387 resulted in physical injuries, 108 deaths and 358 damage to properties.
For the same period in 2023, there were 1,159 accidents, 502 of which resulted in physical injuries, 97 deaths and 560 damage to properties.
Dela Cruz said a high percentage of the cases involved motorcycle and tricycle riders for both periods.
‘We ask motorists to please adhere to the ordinance to avoid the punishment and to ensure your safety,’ Dela Cruz said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
