The Philippine government pledged to create a new task force to address road safety issues after UN Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt visited Manila.

This new task force will include the secretaries of 6 government departments: the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said that the creation of the Task Force on Road Safety will be crucial and would help ensure that other relevant government agencies play a more active role in implementing the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028. This plan seeks to reduce the number of road traffic deaths by 30% in 2028.

Sec. Bautista also added that Todt has told the Philippine government that it knows what to do – but only in paper – and no implementation.

“During our conversation [with Todt], he told us that we know what to do but sometimes we are not able to implement it… We have action plans for road safety. But we really need to implement this so that it will not just be on paper but in action,” said Bautista.

According to Todt, studies from the DOH confirm that on average, 12,000 individuals are killed every year due to road accidents and thousands more are injured. Of those numbers, 65% are motorcycle riders.

Stricter implementation of Helmet Law

_{DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista}

During his visit to Manila, Todt campaigned for the stricter implementation of traffic laws, especially the Helmet Law which was signed by then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2010. According to Todt, wearing safe and durable helmets can reduce the risk of death by 42% and injuries by 69%.

“The problem with helmets is they break like glass. So this helmet is ventilated, UN-standard, below USD 20.00 (PHP 1,200.00). So it’s something also which will be promoted at the level of the government,” said Todt. He also added that each motorcycle sold in the country should come with 2 helmets that pass UN standards because “very often on a motorbike, you have more than only the driver. You have also a passenger. Sometimes you have more.”

Bautista echoed what Todt said, adding the new task force will be working on the stricter enforcement of traffic laws and particularly the Helmet Law. Bautista said, upon observation, that while the Helmet Law mandates wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders, it is not often observed in the provinces.

Pedestrian safety was also discussed, and the DOTr said that better infrastructure is needed for pedestrians.

“There are many instances that there’s not much space for pedestrians. And this one we will discuss with the DPWH so that for future construction of roads and improvements of roads, the improvement of pedestrian lanes can be considered,” said Bautista.