MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - A total of 506 violators have been fined while 14,207 others have been warned about Pangasinan's reflectorized vest ordinance from Aug. 1 to Oct. 6 this year, according to the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO). PPPO data show that most of the violators were from the towns of Lingayen, Bayambang, and San Fabian and the cities of Dagupan and Alaminos. The amount of fine collected is around PHP126,400. Drivers of two and three-wheelers, including golf carts and similar types, are required to wear high-visibility reflective vests or luminous color garments when traveling along Pangasinan roads from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. since Aug. 1. Motorcycle passengers are also required to wear reflective vests, according to Provincial Ordinance No. 325-2024 approved on July 1 this year. 'In case the motorcycle rider or back rider carry with them a backpack or have rear top boxes that may impede the proper view of their vests or garments, similar reflective materials should be attached to the backpacks or top boxes,' the ordinance stated. The reflectorized vests or luminous garments would allow other motorists to see the riders even at night time for their safety. Violators will be warned for the first offense but will be slapped a PHP1,000 fine for second offense, PHP2,000 for third offense, and PHP5,000 and or imprisonment of not more than one year at the discretion of the court for the fourth offense. The police, village and traffic officers have been mandated to monitor compliance with the ordinance. 'We ask motorists to please adhere to the ordinance to avoid the punishment and to ensure your safety,' PPPO information officer Capt. Renan Dela Cruz said in an interview Wednesday. PPPO director Col. Rollyfer Capoquian, in a separate interview, said the implementation of the ordinance somehow aided in the decrease of vehicular traffic incidents (VTI). PPPO recorded 1,362 VTI from Jan. 1 to Oct. 12 this year, 11.37 percent lower than the 1,537 cases on the same period last year. "Kung hind i napatupad baka doble doble pa. Kaya ito dapat sinusuportahan at dapat lahat sumusunod sa ordinansa na ito (If this was not implemented, the number may even have doubled. So this should be supported and all should follow the ordinance)," Capoquian said. Source: Philippines News agency