26 October 2005
OPINION: Take if from us: full-face helmets do save lives
The Pen Speaks
Danny O. Sagun
THE provincial jail got another blackeye with the escape a few days ago of a high-risk detainee, one Jimmy Daru (or Lumna as earlier reported), while being escorted for a trial at the Dagupan justice hall in Bonuan. Were his guards innocent or did they actually let him escape for a fee?
We thought the change in administration of that institution a year ago following alleged irregularities involving the former jail warden had brought changes for the better. Warden Paglingayen seemed incapable of instituting those reforms. It appears however that his hands just tied with bureaucratic mess and that the responsibility should be shared by the provincial administration which operates the jail.
The jail’s service vehicle had long been under repair, forcing the guards to transport the detainees scheduled for court trial thru the public transport system. That’s very risky but the jail officers could not do anything but make do with any available means. To think that some provincial government vehicles are seen in malls, cockpit arenas, resorts, etc. during weekends.
Such a simple but very important concern like the provision of a service vehicle for the jail cannot be solved by a provincial administration of such a big province? A pity!
***
SAFETY head gears, say helmets and hard hats save lives.
Take it from this writer who saw first hand how the safety helmet practically gave him another lease in life.
To our fellow drivers particularly motorbike riders, do not begrudge those LTO flying squads, police officers manning checkpoints and highway patrol group fieldmen if they flag you down for not wearing a helmet and impose a fine. Of course, we do not consent to the brusque manner some of them perform their job. In its entirety though, we motorists are just reminded to follow safety rules for our own protection by wearing headgears and seatbelts.
A friend riding a Honda Wave 125 who was sideswiped by a passenger jeepney somewhere in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur only suffered bruises and wounds because he was wearing a helmet. We were then with seven other motorcycle riders on our way to Laoag last summer which was cut short however because of that accident.
Before the incident, a relative, also riding a Wave 125, escaped death with his helmet when he met an accident somewhere in Barrera, barangay Pantal here in Dagupan. The impact and the thud on the pavement was such that he could have died there in an instant.
We recall how the budding career of our irat, Mix Estrada, as a police officer was cut short by a reckless driver of a passenger jeepney who sideswiped him somewhere in the Bonuan highway as he headed for home on his Yamaha Enduro. He suffered no bruises but the impact on his head ended his life. Wearing head gear during those days was optional and he used to wear nothing for his head but a hat. He might still be around if he was wearing a tough full-face helmet as myself and the two others mentioned above did when mishap hit.
Do not wear a so-so helmet for the sake of escaping the eyes of those LTO and police officers. The headgear should be tough, snugly fitted to the head and full-face. The half-face type may not protect your face and chin, only the top of your head. If I were wearing one of that stuff, our face could have been ripped off now because of the impact of the fall—head first, then right shoulder and arm as our bruises show and the scratches on the helmet.
There are reports that some LGUs are thinking of banning full-face helmets in their area because of criminal incidents perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men. We oppose that. There are other measures to deter criminals.
So put that helmet on your head always even for a short trip, even at night. It might be uncomfortable but it will save your precious life. Ditto with seatbelts for the four wheels.
Danny O. Sagun
THE provincial jail got another blackeye with the escape a few days ago of a high-risk detainee, one Jimmy Daru (or Lumna as earlier reported), while being escorted for a trial at the Dagupan justice hall in Bonuan. Were his guards innocent or did they actually let him escape for a fee?
We thought the change in administration of that institution a year ago following alleged irregularities involving the former jail warden had brought changes for the better. Warden Paglingayen seemed incapable of instituting those reforms. It appears however that his hands just tied with bureaucratic mess and that the responsibility should be shared by the provincial administration which operates the jail.
The jail’s service vehicle had long been under repair, forcing the guards to transport the detainees scheduled for court trial thru the public transport system. That’s very risky but the jail officers could not do anything but make do with any available means. To think that some provincial government vehicles are seen in malls, cockpit arenas, resorts, etc. during weekends.
Such a simple but very important concern like the provision of a service vehicle for the jail cannot be solved by a provincial administration of such a big province? A pity!
***
SAFETY head gears, say helmets and hard hats save lives.
Take it from this writer who saw first hand how the safety helmet practically gave him another lease in life.
To our fellow drivers particularly motorbike riders, do not begrudge those LTO flying squads, police officers manning checkpoints and highway patrol group fieldmen if they flag you down for not wearing a helmet and impose a fine. Of course, we do not consent to the brusque manner some of them perform their job. In its entirety though, we motorists are just reminded to follow safety rules for our own protection by wearing headgears and seatbelts.
A friend riding a Honda Wave 125 who was sideswiped by a passenger jeepney somewhere in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur only suffered bruises and wounds because he was wearing a helmet. We were then with seven other motorcycle riders on our way to Laoag last summer which was cut short however because of that accident.
Before the incident, a relative, also riding a Wave 125, escaped death with his helmet when he met an accident somewhere in Barrera, barangay Pantal here in Dagupan. The impact and the thud on the pavement was such that he could have died there in an instant.
We recall how the budding career of our irat, Mix Estrada, as a police officer was cut short by a reckless driver of a passenger jeepney who sideswiped him somewhere in the Bonuan highway as he headed for home on his Yamaha Enduro. He suffered no bruises but the impact on his head ended his life. Wearing head gear during those days was optional and he used to wear nothing for his head but a hat. He might still be around if he was wearing a tough full-face helmet as myself and the two others mentioned above did when mishap hit.
Do not wear a so-so helmet for the sake of escaping the eyes of those LTO and police officers. The headgear should be tough, snugly fitted to the head and full-face. The half-face type may not protect your face and chin, only the top of your head. If I were wearing one of that stuff, our face could have been ripped off now because of the impact of the fall—head first, then right shoulder and arm as our bruises show and the scratches on the helmet.
There are reports that some LGUs are thinking of banning full-face helmets in their area because of criminal incidents perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men. We oppose that. There are other measures to deter criminals.
So put that helmet on your head always even for a short trip, even at night. It might be uncomfortable but it will save your precious life. Ditto with seatbelts for the four wheels.
