LTO, motorcyclists step up road safety drive
Stricter law enforcement and proper road safety education can make the Marilaque (Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon) Highway safe again after becoming infamous for numerous motorcycle accidents.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO), along with the Philippine National Police and several rider groups, converged on Sunday at various portions of Marilaque Road following the dangerous motorcycle stunt that led to the death of a “motovlogger” last week.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II and Sen. JV Ejercito, a known motorcycle rider, led hundreds of riders for a motorcade aimed at promoting “Make Marilaque Road Safe Again” to all road users.
“It is unfortunate that it took one person to pass away in order to awaken all of us. But we will take advantage of this momentum to promote road safety not only here along Marilaque but also in all parts of the country,” Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, enforcement alone was not a solution to ensure the safety in all roads, as he emphasized the necessity of education and training.
For the education and training, he said the LTO would bank on the commitment made by the private sector to provide the necessary training and to reach as many motorists across the country.
On the part of the LTO, Mendoza said the processes in approving a driver’s license would be made stricter.
He earlier told the Inquirer the LTO would launch a road safety refresher course for motorcycle drivers and require driver’s license applicants to undergo not only theoretical, but also practical examinations before they are issued licenses.
According to a report from the PNP-Highway Patrol Group, vehicular crashes across the country rose by 27.6 percent to 31,258 in 2024. Of these road accidents, a total of 2,747 people were killed—up by 35 percent from the previous year.
On Jan. 26, a motovlogger identified as John Louie Arguelles, died after he and another rider performing the so-called “Superman” stunt (driver in a prone position aboard his moving motorcycle, akin to Superman flying) crashed at a sharp bend on Marilaque Road’s popular “Devil’s Corner” in Tanay town.
