High school student dies in road accident

CEBU, Philippines - A high school student met his untimely death after his motorcycle crashed into the road railings in Barangay Flores, Catmon town at 3am yesterday.

Cristian Roble, 16, was reportedly on his way home to Barangay Bawo, Sogod, after a date with his girlfriend when the accident happened.

Before the accident took place, the victim sent his girlfriend home at the town proper.

However, when he reached Barangay Flores, he reportedly lost control of the black Honda XRM when the motorcycle lost its brakes. The motorcycle crashed into the concrete railings.

The impact threw Roble off the motorcyle and into the pavement, his head hitting hard on concrete. Unfortunately, the victim was not wearing a helmet at that time and he sustained severe injuries to the head.

Roble passed away on the way to the Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital in Barangay Damolog, Sogod.

Witnesses to the incident said the victim was driving at high speed when he met the accident.

Deaths in road accidents is one of the things taken into consideration when former President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo signed into law the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010. The law was passed after two years.

The law requires all motorcycle drivers and their passengers to wear helmets at all times and imposes stiff penalties on violators. There are an estimated 3.5 million motorcycles registered in the country.

Republic Act 10054, authored by Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., is aimed at protecting motorcycle drivers, back-riders as well as pedestrians from injuries and death in accidents.

The law, however, exempts drivers of tricycles - a motorcycle with a side cab, which is a common mode of transport in the country - from wearing helmets.

“From narrow streets to major thoroughfares, motorcycles and scooters are a common sight every day and night. Wearing helmets will greatly reduce fatalities in road accidents and would also (foster) a sense of discipline in all motorcycle riders,” Revilla had said.

“The passage of this measure will not be fulfilled if not for the support of our motorcyclists and the motorcycle manufacturers and dealers who are aware of the danger of not wearing a helmet,” the Senator added.

He said studies have shown that good helmets and their proper use are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain damage to motorcycle drivers and their passengers.

Under the law, those who will be caught not wearing protective helmets face a minimum fine of P1,500 and a maximum penalty of P10,000.

The law requires the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct mandatory tests on all locally manufactured and imported motorcycle helmets in the country.

Manufacturers and importers of motorcycle helmets are also required to secure a Philippine Standard mark or an import commodity clearance before they can sell and distribute their products or pay a fine of P10,000 to P20,000 if they violate the provision.  (FREEMAN)