MMDA wants students taught road safety

MANILA, Philippines - Saying that the number and severity of road accidents in the country have become alarming, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wants road safety education included in the country’s high school curriculum.

“It’s alarming that road accidents could be the number one killer in the Philippines. It’s a worldwide trend,” said MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos as the agency held a road safety forum at its headquarters yesterday.

He said high school students are at the age when they want to learn how to drive.

“For ages 14 to 16, we should have mandatory traffic education,” Carlos said.

He said the MMDA is working with the Department of Education and with schools such as the University of the Philippines and the University of Asia and the Pacific in drawing up traffic education modules.

Meanwhile, Carlos called on the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to be strict in the issuance of driver’s licenses.

The LTO “should enforce written and practical examinations” to ensure that only those who are qualified get a license, he said.