DOTr targets zero death caused by road accidents

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has taken a preventive approach and education campaign to intensify the country's road safety action plan to save lives and properties.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista is partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO), The Policy Center, other government agencies, private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and road users to prevent road crashes and injuries by escalating road safety education.

"The Department of Transportation takes road safety seriously. Our approach is anchored on prevention and education," Bautista said during the launch of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) 2023-2028 the other day.

The Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) 2023-2028 is a comprehensive document that will serve as a roadmap for road safety in the country.

The said department envisions a Philippine society with zero deaths on the road and a target of at least a 35 percent reduction in road traffic deaths by 2028.

The PRSAP has five pillars: road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response.

Bautista said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is at the frontline of a road safety education campaign that involves knowledge of defensive and safe driving as a license requirement, and vehicle roadworthiness.

He added that the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is also one of the DOTr’s road safety initiatives, which will upgrade smoke-belching and diesel-powered jeepneys to modern PUVs that conform to the Philippine National Standards.

Bautista also cited other road safety projects, such as the Innovative Active Transport, EDSA Greenways, and with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) concept of the EDSA Busway being replicated in Cebu and Davao.

He then called on stakeholders to fine-tune efforts to ensure that roads are getting safer, especially for the children.

"Majority of our transport projects are aligned towards promoting road safety. But we need to benchmark the effectiveness of our initiatives with global standards,” Bautista. — GAN (FREEMAN)