MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, May 30 (PIA)--To raise awareness and improve road safety, the Department of Health (DOH)-10 conducted the online road safety month celebration with various government agencies and private sectors via webinar with the theme, “Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 Managing Speed.”
DOH-10 put active transport in the spotlight in celebration of the road and safety month, and pushed for a safer road system for bikers, cyclists, pedestrians and commuters.
The sustainable development goals set an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent. The Philippine National Objectives for Health 2017-2022 targets the reduction of road traffic deaths to 7.9 per 100,000 population and the PRSAP 2017-2022 interim target is to reduce road death rate by at least 20 percent by 2022.
During the online road safety month celebration, DOH-Health Promotion Bureau Dasha Uy presented the road safety and active transport. Uy said road reform aims to promote active transport and reduce road crashes involves more than just installing protected bicycle lanes.
"Reduce motor vehicle usage by promoting cycling, walking, and other modes of active transport. Encourage the use of public transport, a much safer mode of travel, through improving efficiency, prioritizing road space for public transport and rationalizing routes. Calm traffic through the implementation of speed limits and road design interventions, improve vehicle safety through design standards and improve road crash medical response," she added.
For his part, Roads and Traffic Supervising Administrative Officer Benedicto Ramiro emphasized the goal of transportation that fosters economic and social integration of Metro CDO in order to increase the presence of active transport, modernize public transport, efficient use of private transport and efficient movement of freight. Second, the goal of transportation that uses intelligent applications, which means efficient system management operation and intelligent transport system.
“This is a shared responsibility to ensure road safety for everyone, discipline, and courtesy are also the key to road safety,” Ramiro said.
He also discussed the common traffic violations that include disregarding traffic signs, obstruction of travel lanes, not wearing seatbelt, driving without license, and not wearing a helmet.
“We have numerous laws that regulate speed limits and provide safety measures such as the use of motorcycle helmets and vehicle seat belts, prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and others,” he added.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) PCol Oliver Tanseco said the annual celebration of National Road Safety Month is a reminder to the public who ply the roads daily as commuters, pedestrians, car and public utility drivers, cyclists, and motorcycle riders to be responsible road users.
"Let us obey the laws and regulations instituted by the local and national government for our own safety and well-being as well as for the safety and wellbeing of our passengers, fellow travelers, and pedestrians," he added.
The meeting also highlighted the enforcement initiatives, vehicle safety standards, public utility vehicle (PUV) operation procedures and standards, enforcement of overloading laws and standards, and recommendations for road safety.
For the latest record on global road safety 2018 of World Health Organization (WHO), there were 1.35 million deaths each year, 93 percent of world fatalities on the road occur in low and middle income countries, 50 million injuries each year, and 1.2 million deaths in 2011. About 49 percent of all road traffic deaths are among pedestrians (22 pedestrians), cyclists (4 ) and motorcycles (23 percent).
The road crash in the Philippines reported 12,012 deaths, 32 fatalities per day (PSA, 2018), where the majority are 5-29 year-olds. Most fatalities involved motorcycles (53 percent) and pedestrians (19 percent), 78.61 percent or 7,194 of road traffic deaths are among the “economically-productive age groups” (15-64-year-olds) and highest among ages 20-24 years old, then among the 25-29 years old age group. (SMRN/PIA Misamis Occidental)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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