A transport official has assured motorcycle riders the implementing rules and regulations of a law requiring bigger motorcycle number plates will undergo public consultation.
Land Transportation Office chief Edgar Galvante made the assurance following criticisms from motorcycle riders who opposed the newly signed Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.
“To those who have concerns over the implementation of this law, especially riders, just think-—what can you do to help? If you show a good example of following the law, others will be encouraged to do the same,” Galvez said.
“We just want to reiterate, in crafting the IRR of this law, we will ask about your experiences, your knowledge, so that you can suggest how we can make the implementation of this law more effective,” he added.
Last week, thousands of motorcycle riders staged a unity ride along Edsa in Quezon City and other parts of the country to protest the requirement for bigger license plates.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan said aside from preventing crimes, the new law will also help protect motorcycle riders from road activities.
“We have to act on all of these deaths. We have these plates that are visible‚—it’s for your own protection,” Ablan said.
The new law mandates the LTO to produce bigger number plates that are readable from the front, back, and side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least 15 meters.
Law enforcers can apprehend motorcycle riders and seize their vehicles if it does not have the proper number plate. The motorcycle's owner can only retrieve it after complying with the requirement.