[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’EDITORIAL | Road safety’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Sunday, May 7, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
LATE THURSDAY night, May 4, two persons were injured in a motorcycle crash in Pavia, Iloilo. We’ve actually lost count of the number of motorcycle accidents in Iloilo, some of them fatal. The popularity of this popular mode of transport has also increased the frequency of road accidents involving them.
According to the World Health Organization, 53 percent of road accident fatalities in the Philippines are motorcycle users. Something must be done.
Perhaps we can start with seriously imposing the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009. This is for the motorists’ safety. We also have to improve road conditions, including the provision of road signs, streetlights, pavement markings, waiting sheds, sidewalks and speed bumps.
On top of this, road courtesy must be promoted. There’s a fair observation that motor vehicle drivers have the tendency to take motorcycle riders lightly on the road, acting as if they are superior to their two-wheeled counterparts. Road courtesy and discipline could prevent accidents on the road. Perhaps we can develop road reminders on the importance of sharing the road with motorcycle riders.
We have to remind our motorists to respect the rights of their fellow motorists especially motorcycle riders while on the road. At the same time, we also have to educate motorcycle riders to respect their fellow motorists’ rights by not weaving in and out of the lanes.
The riders also have to be warned against having a risk-taking behavior which includes riding without protective gears as well as riding under the influence of alcohol or even illegal drugs.
WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety for 2015 that riders 2- or 3-wheelers topped the list of road user deaths in 2013 was alarming. According to the study based on the 2013 Traffic Accident Recording and Analysis System of the Department of Public Works and Highways, pedestrians made up 19 percent of the road user deaths; drivers of 4-wheeled cars and light vehicles (14 percent) and their passengers (11 percent); and cyclists (2 percent).
While we’re at this, may we ask how the Special Road Safety Fund is being utilized by the government? Republic Act 8794 or the Road User’s Tax Law mandates that 7.5 percent of the motor vehicle users’ charge (MVUC) collected by the Land Transportation Office should go to the Special Road Safety Fund. The Road Board oversees the use of this fund. It should step up the campaign to create better awareness on the safety and rights of motorcyclists on the road.
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
