Why were they allowed in the first place?

I knew this day was coming. Because I knew that not all crash helmets are created equal. And with a country like China producing knock-offs left and right, I wouldn’t be surprised to see fake crash helmets sold here in the Philippines. We just love everything China throws our way. Just go to Divisoria to see what I mean.

But here’s the thing. The DOTC is now requiring the Helmet Law to be fully enforced. This would require all motorcycle riders to wear a crash helmet while operating or riding in a motorcycle, no excuses. That is all well and good, for the safety of the riders and passengers alike. But are the helmets being used up to safety standards that the world accepts, and not just China’s?

So it is now the task of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to accredit ALL the helmets being currently used, and those that are being sold in stores as well. That is no small task indeed, by anyone’s measure! And the chaos of the previous days’ registrations have proven that. Which is why the DOTC has granted the request of the DTI to extend the registration/accreditation period up till the end of the year, before fully implementing the Helmet Law.

This is a clear cut case of something that has come back to bite us, at least the riding public in general. Why fake, unaccredited crash helmets were allowed to be brought into the country by government is beyond me. Why a supposedly safety devise did not go through this ICC accreditation in the first place! Again, we have a country that specializes in all things inferior and fake to thank for that, coupled with corrupt government officials and unscrupulous businessmen to complete the organization. Had all these safety helmets been accredited from the start, there wouldn’t be any concern with now having to meet a deadline. There wouldn’t be any worry that the helmet one is using is a fake one. But I guess that’s what this country is all about.

It had to take a lot of fires and the deaths of some significant persons before Christmas lights had to pass a certain standard. And yet the market is still flooded with dangerous counterfeits that could cost one his property, or even lives, all for the sake of saving a few pesos. There are so many items out in the market that do not pass safety standards, yet they are openly sold to the public. The DTI has to be a lot stricter with regards to what should be allowed sold to consumers, especially items that have to do with safety.

I have to ask why the Helmet Law only applies to motorcycles and scooters and not tricycles, which I consider the most dangerous of them all! Why these infernal means of public transportation continues to enjoy being practically left alone by the agencies is anyone’s guess. If there is a vehicle that should not be allowed on the road let alone for public transportation, it is the tricycle! The DOTC would do well to finally study if the time of the tricycle has passed, safety, pollution and common sense wise!