Conclusion
LAWYER Sophia Monica V. San Luis from Imagine Law, a civil-society organization advocating for road safety, believes that infrastructure will also play a key role in ensuring that Philippine roads are safe for both pedestrians and drivers.
“As a rule, roads should be designed with the safety of all road users in mind. Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, should be protected from fatal crashes,” San Luis told the BusinessMirror. “One way of doing this is through road design, but this can also be done through other interventions, like lowering of speed limits and strict enforcement of traffic rules protecting pedestrians.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Mark Richmund M. de Leon agrees.
De Leon explained the transportation and public works departments are working hand in hand to improve the quality of roads in the country. This includes setting up of road signages, which are often devoid in some areas.
“The transportation department and public works department are actively working together to make our road infrastructures more responsive to the needs of our
citizens,” he said.
The government is pursuing multibillion-peso infrastructure projects to develop different roads in the country, including tourism roads, arterial passages, bypasses and national highways.
Legislative amendments
BESIDES having no vehicle safety standards, the Philippines does not adhere to international agreements on vehicle standards, such as the 1958 Agreement of World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.
“It also does not have an established new car-assessment program, wherein vehicles are rated in terms of safety, for the information of consumers,” San Luis said.
Aside from this, there is a need to update, amend and pass laws to further strengthen the road-safety initiatives of the government. Some laws, according to San Luis, are outdated, and some lack implementation.
“While the Philippines already has various road-safety laws in place, these laws must be revisited to allow for more effective enforcement,” she said.
For instance, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code does not provide for enforcement using speed guns, and only treats violations of speed limits as a form of reckless driving. Enforcers are also not adequately equipped with speed guns or assisted with speed enforcement cameras.
The Seat Belts Use Act also needs updating. It does not require seat belts for backseat passengers of buses, jeepneys and vans. The law only requires lap belts for front seat passengers and drivers of jeepneys.
The Helmet Act of 2009, on the other hand, has three points that need improving: first, it does not mandate “proper use” of helmets; second, it does not require appropriately sized helmets for children; and third it does not cover electronic bikes.
Another law on the laundry list of San Luis is the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of
2013, which requires probable cause for a driver to be apprehended on suspicion of alcohol or drug use.
“This prevents enforcers from conducting random breath checkpoints, which has been shown to be effective in modifying drink-driving behavior in other countries,” San Luis said.
And while Congress has enacted three laws on road safety—the Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act, the Speed Limiter Act and the Anti-Distracted Driving Act—implementation is still a major issue.
“These laws have not yet been implemented or enforced, as their implementing rules and regulations have not been issued as of the date of this submission,” San Luis said.
Increased awareness
DE Leon noted the problem of unsafe roads requires a multi-sectoral approach. “We will be needing the support of all stakeholders to improve our road-safety situation,” he said. “The department, along with the other government agencies, are actively laying the groundwork for the improvement of transportation systems, infrastructure network and the public utility vehicle [PUV] modernization, which aims to provide safer, better and reliable transport.” Road users and pedestrians also need to be educated on road safety, de Leon admitted. Ordinary Filipinos also have a part to play in ensuring that Philippine streets are safe.
“The department recognizes that the mind-set and disciplined behavior among the road users is one of the keys to minimize road crashes and fatalities,” he said. “Thus, in order to instill safety mind-set to our road users, increased awareness among all stakeholders must be initiated through education and stricter enforcement of pertinent laws and traffic rules and regulations.”
The department, through the support of other agencies and private sector, will launch effective communications campaign to increase awareness of road laws and regulations, the official said.
San Luis concurred, saying that addressing road-safety issues in the Philippines is easier said than done, and can only be done through the cooperation of all its stakeholders.
“Under the safe system approach to road safety, all road- safety stakeholders must work together to strengthen all aspects of road-safety intervention, to minimize the effect of a crash,” she said.
“But the government must veer away from the traditional view that the driver is at the center of a road crash and must strengthen the five pillars of road safety by: improving road-safety management; designing safer roads; introducing vehicle standards; setting and enforcing laws that will lessen risky behavior on roads; and increasing accessibility to post-crash care,” San Luis added.
For now, Filipinos will have to wait and see how the government will cement reforms in road safety in the next five years.
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