MEXICO CITY, July 14 -- Guatemalan police have reported a 84 percent drop in drive-by killings from motorbike in several months after a new law illegalized two people riding one bike, local media reported Tuesday.

There were 59 drive-by killings reported in the past two and a half months, a steep decrease compared with 148 in February. The law entered into force on May 9.

The law also brought in a host of road safety regulations, including obliging bikers to wear helmets and jackets that will provide protection in case of an accident, and to have visible number plates.

Guatemalan gunmen had used to using motorbikes to escape from murder scenes in heavy traffic.