Gov’t creates task force to address the high number of road accidents involving motorcycles
The government, with the help of the United Nations, is aiming to improve road safety in the country by forming a task force composed of transportation, health, interior and local government agencies.
The task force was created based on the recommendation of Jean Todt, the special envoy for road safety for the UN Secretary General, who conducted a five-day visit to the country from November 7 to 11, 2024.
At Monday’s press conference, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa expressed hope for addressing the high number of road accidents involving motorcycles.
According to Herbosa, a study by the Department of Health found that 70 percent of deaths in road accidents within Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao were due to head injuries sustained by motorcycle riders.
“This is easily fixable,” he said, pressing the need for speed limits and urging motorists to avoid drinking alcohol or texting while driving.
Clear road obstructions
Meanwhile, Interior Undersecretary Serafin Barretto said that the Department of the Interior and Local Government would be working with local officials to “clear road obstructions, enforce tricycle restriction on national highways, and promote responsible road use.”
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we encourage every Filipino to support the mission by following traffic laws, wearing helmets and committing to safe practices,” he said.
To address post-crash injuries, the DOH is building trauma centers all over the country for treatment.
To support the Philippine road safety objectives, the UN will establish a funding mechanism called the Road Safety Multipartner Trust Fund, according to Gustavo Gonzalez, the resident coordinator of the UN Philippines.
The intergovernmental organization will also share with the Philippines some of the “best practices” and “lessons learned” from other countries, Gonzalez added.
It will also help establish certain standards in the country regarding road safety, such as the construction of motorcycle helmets to better protect riders.
“We are thankful to the United Nations for bringing Mr. Todt to the Philippines,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
Bautista stated that the task force will aid in the implementation of road safety programs, specifically the objectives of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028.
The plan, which was launched last year, aims to reduce the number of road traffic accidents by 35 percent by 2028. Barreto said that 85,000 road accidents were registered in Metro Manila alone this year.
On Thursday, Todt met with President Marcos to discuss the progress made in improving road safety in the country.
Mr. Marcos announced that the Philippines would be joining an upcoming ministerial conference on road safety to be held in Morocco next year.
