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There’s a law requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets for their own safety — but one congressman wants to block that.

“In the hope of preventing crime and assisting the police, Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat has filed House Bill 4438, which will authorize local government units to suspend Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009,” reports ABS-CBNnews.com.

Lobregat said he filed the bill because “police are having a hard time fighting crime because helmets hide criminals’ identities.”

Lobregat was quoted as saying, “While this amendatory bill recognizes the importance of protective gears like helmets to safeguard motorcycle riders from injury during road accidents, the proposed measure also considers the security and well-being of the public.”

The report noted: “According to a World Health Organization study, motorcycle riders can cut the risk of death by almost 40% and the risk of severe injury by 72% if they wear proper helmets.”

If Lobregat’s bill is approved, that may change.

You see, as the report indicates, “under Lobregat’s proposal, LGUs with high incidence of crimes committed by motorcycle riders can suspend implementation of the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 for a year. The ban can likewise can be enforced for another year, if needed.”

The House Committee on Transportation is now studying Lobregat’s bill.

Photo: MorgueFile