helmet

hi ; do i need to bring a helmet with me in order to ride a scooter/ motocycle?? i have heard that they are cracking down and may pull you over to fine you without said accessory. thanks JL

 

Helmet use

I would not even consider being without a helmet in the Philippines for several reasons:

They drive like retards
The ambulance service is useless
The hospitals are horrible.

 

In Dumaguete and points south, no helmet enforcement. In fact most of the police riding to work on their bikes don't wear helmets. However, as the prior post alluded to, it is extremely dangerous riding bikes here. Locals do not follow any driving rules or common courtesies, many with no front or rear lights on at night, pot holes in many of the roads, pedicabs, jeeps, buses stopping anytime on the hiway to pick up people, u-turns in front of you, pedestrians and animals crossing roads; this list could go on... Personally, as of this week, I will no longer ride a bike here. Be safe.

 

I agree with PatO that driving on motorbike here is more or less like russian roulette. But what's the alternative? A tricycle, no thanks, in your own car, well when you accept the traffic congestions all around and in some parts of the city the parking problems, it's a solution but still taking the risk you might get hit by a bus, truck, pick-up or other car. Though have to admit that personal injuries will have less impact; if any.

 

If you look at the threads here recently, 2 foreigner's have lost there lives and another one went back to his home country with severe brain damage. I knew 2 of them and they were really good guys. At that time none of them were wearing a helmet. So should I answer the question about helmets?
Ron

 

5 a week!

I hear that this is, on average, the fatality figures for motorcyclists in Dumaguete. Most do not wear helmets but I'm pretty sure that if you do, your odds of survival are much greater here.

 

Here's a new way to look at it realistically. Now if a person takes the time to wear a helmet he/she is probably the sort of driver who wants to be a cautious and safer driver naturally. If a person doesn't that person is less concerned with being as safe but even if fairly safe like myself I'd still be lumped in with those with no helmets. With that in mind its fairly obvious that fatalities don't often happen to those wearing helmets because those who are generally the safer and more cautious drivers. Those without helmets also however include those who are reckless drivers and always dodging in and out of traffic including cutting people off trying to get their turn in.

Now the only way to know how well helmets save lives here is to look at how many wearing helmets get in accidents that the helmet takes a serious hit and the person still lives.

This is a common sales pitch type talk and since its not so easily disproven along with its better to be safe then sorry just incase why not.

But in reality once again you can take 1 very safe driver who doesn't wear a helmet and you can't compare him to the crazy idiot who has a death wish in traffic who also doesn't wear a helmet. Its fairly obvious to know who's going to get creamed first. Lastly the real road threats in my opinion at least is the bus's and big trucks and if one of those hits you I doubt a helmet will save you.... especially if its a ceres bus! You may survive the crash but you won't survive the bullet from ceres not wanting to pay out damages! Besides that trikes and other motorcycles likely to just be minor bumps if anything especially if you are a safe driver.