As the country joins the global community in the observance of World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims today, 19 November 2017, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along with other concerned government agencies, will sign next week various measures to further curb road crashes in the country.

These measures include the DOTr-DPWH-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular enjoining local government units (LGUs) to set and enforce lower speed limits; Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2017-2022, which aims to reduce road crash fatalities by 20% in 2022; the DOTr-PNP Memorandum of Agreement, which collects and geo-tags road crash data for planning and monitoring through an online portal; and the DOTr order creating a National Road Safety Unit, which shall serve as the government’s focal and coordinating office on all road safety concerns.

Apart from these interventions, DOTr’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program also addresses road safety issues by requiring safety officer’s inspection before dispatch, safe vehicle design, and better-connected routes.

These interventions affirm the solid commitment of the Duterte administration in promoting road safety.

Meanwhile, various government agencies observed today the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims through a motorcade along Commonwealth Avenue, one of the country’s roads with the highest incidents of road crashes.

Kids are the most vulnerable on the road. (photo Ira V. Panganiban)

Records show that from 2010-2016, crash incidents in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City alone killed 108 persons; injured 3,191, and damaged 11,286 properties.

Until the 3rd quarter of 2017, PNP reported 23,018 road crash incidents nationwide. With a monthly average of 2,558, this year is lower than the 2,690 monthly average of 2016.

Representatives of victims of road crashes say individual prayers for the victims. (photo Ira V. Panganiban)