Senate Bill 1822 filed to require Safety Training prior to motorcycle registration

Just a month after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for the mandatory training of motorcycle riders, Senator Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito has filed a bill in the senate requiring completion of motorcycle safety training for licensed riders.

Senate Bill 1822 or the Motorcycle Safety Training Act of 2018 requires the completion of motorcycle safety training prior to the registration of their motorcycle.

The measure is intended to educate all motorcycle riders of the proper rules and regulations of the road, as well as the appropriate safety practices required when operating a motorcycle.

The bill cited data from the National Statistics Authority indicating motorcycles-related injuries comprising 69% of the total identified transport incidents nationwide. It also references the MMDA Accident Recording and Analysis System that has ranked motorcycle accidents as the leading cause of road fatalities.

Under the bill, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is mandated to conduct a motorcycle safety training program for motorcycle owners. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTO shall establish a Comprehensive Motorcycle Safety Training Program and Manual which will be used for the course.

Certificates of completion will be issued to motorcycle owners that participate in this program. This certificate will be a requirement for the registration of motorcycles.

The bill also prescribes a penalty of P50,000 pesos for any individual who falsifies a certification of training and said certificate shall be revoked.