Philippine Road Safety LandscapeFebruary 17, 2017

Ateneo de Manila University, Alberto Hurtado Hall

ImagineLaw is a non-stock, non-profit

public interest law organization that aims

to utilize legal and policy expertise in aid

of development in the Philippines

through:

• public policy development and

advocacy,

• research, capacity-building, and

• information, education and

communication.

road crash fatalities

road crash injuries

Global Road Safety Scenario

Philippine Road Safety Scenario

The Philippine context

With acknowledgment to DOTr

The Philippine situation

• 300,000 Filipinos will die of road crashes

by 2020 if preventive measures are not

taken

• In 2008, DOH reported road crashes as

the 4th leading cause of death in the

Philippines.

Road crashes in the PhilippinesPNP-HPG Road Crash statistics

12,875

15,572

24,565

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

2013 2014 2015

Road Crashes

Road fatalities in the PhilippinesPNP-HPG Road Crash statistics

1,362

1,252

1,040

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

2013 2014 2015

Road Crashes

Road Crashes in Metro ManilaMetro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System

(MMARAS)

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2014

Road Crashes in Metro Manila

Road Crashes

77,110

82,757

86,565

90,25895,615

Fatal Road Crashes in Metro ManilaMetro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System

(MMARAS)

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

2011 2012 2013 2014 2014

Fatal Road Crashes in Metro Manila

Road Crashes

370

394

411

418519

Recorded fatalities in

Metro Manila

536 people died in road

crashes in Metro Manila in

2015 according to reports.

Source: MMARAS 2015

235

232

69

Pedestrians

Drivers

Passengers

0 100 200 300

Deaths

Vehicle types in

fatal crashes

779 vehicles were involved

in fatal crashes in Metro

Manila in 2015. 26

29

32

48

61

125

129

262

Cycle-Pedicab

Motor Tricycle

Bus

Van

Jeepney

Car

Truck

Motorcycle

0 100 200 300

Source: MMARAS 2015

• Congress – laws

• President – Executive orders,

administrative orders, implementing

rules and regulations

• Local Government Units - Ordinances

Road Safety Rule-Making in the Philippines

• Department of Transportation

– Land Transportation Office

– Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board

• Department of Public Works and Highways

• Department of Trade and Industry

• Department of Health

• Department of Interior and Local Government

– Local Government Units

– Philippine National Police

• Metro Manila Development Authority

• Department of Education

• Public Information Agency

Institutions involved in Road Safety

Road Safety Laws on the

Major Risk Factors

Overview

Risk Factor Status Law Year

Speed ✔ Land Transportation and Traffic Code(RA No. 4136)

1964

Impairment ✔ Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act (RA No. 10586)

2013

Helmet ✔ Motorcycle Helmet Act (RA No. 10054) 2009

Seatbelt ✔ Seatbelt Use Act (RA No. 8750) 1999

Child Restraint

✗

Other Road Safety Laws

Overview

Risk Factor Law Year

Speed Speed Limiter Act (RA No. 10916) 2016

Road Design Motor Vehicles Users Charge (R.A. No. 8794) 2000

Restraint Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act (R.A. No. 10666)

2013

Impairment Anti-Distracted Driving Act (R.A. No. 10913) 2016

Driver skill Land Transportation and Traffic Code (on licensing)

1964

Road Worthiness

Land Transportation and Traffic Code (on registration / road worthiness / weight limits )

1964

Land Transportation and

Traffic Code (Speed)• General restriction for over-speeding and

driving at inappropriate speeds

• Maximum allowable speeds

• Exceptions – emergencies, physicians,

ambulances, armed forces, law

enforcement, fire trucks

Gaps

Land Transportation and

Traffic Code (Speed)Maximum allowable speeds

Salient Provisions

Road Classification Passenger

Cars /

Motorcycles

Motor trucks /

Buses

Open country roads with no “blind corners”

not closely bordered by habitations

80 km/hr 50 km/hr

On “through streets” or boulevards, clear of

traffic, with no “blind corners” when so

designated

40 km/hr 30 km/hr

On city and municipal streets, with light

traffic, when not designated “through

streets”

30 km/hr 30 km/hr

Through crowded streets, approaching

intersections at “blind corners,” passing

school zones, passing other vehicles that

are stationary, or for similar dangerous

circumstances

20 km/hr 20 km/hr

Back

Seatbelts Use Act• Mandatory use of seatbelts

– Driver and all passengers for private

vehicles

– Driver and front seat passengers for

jeepneys, vans and buses

– Driver, front seat passengers and first

row passengers for school buses

• Prohibition on infants and children ages 6

and below from sitting in front seats

• Child restraints

Salient Provisions

Motorcycle Helmet Act• Mandatory use of motorcycle helmets

for all riders, for long and short drives,

on any type of road or highway

• Standardization and certification of

motorcycle helmets

Salient Provisions

Anti-Drunk and Drugged

Driving Act• Prohibition against drunk and drugged driving

– Blood alcohol content limit: not more than 0.05%

– For drivers of trucks, buses, motorcycles, and PUVs,

0.0%

• Mandatory alcohol and chemical screening for road crashes

incidents

• Acquisition of breathalyzers and drug screening kits

• Direct liability of owner or operator of public and special

public service vehicles (school bus, freight, etc.)

• Random terminal inspection and quick random drug tests

Salient Provisions

Gaps in Major Road Safety LawsLaw Gaps

Land Transportation and Traffic Code(RA No. 4136)

- Speed limit not effective without road classification- Lack of speed guns- Speed limit signs are not common

Seatbelt Use Act (RA No. 8750) - Law does not require seatbelts for back seat passengers of bus, jeepneys and vans

- Law only requires lap belts for jeepney drivers and front passengers

Motorcycle Helmet Act (RA No. 10054)

- Law does not require appropriately sized helmets- Law does not require proper use (helmet clasp, visor

down, etc.)- Law does not cover e-bikes

Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act (RA No. 10586)

- Random breath testing is not allowed- Lack of breathalyzers and drug screening tests- 0.0% BAC for trucks, buses and motorcycles

Enforcement of Major

Road Safety Laws

Source: Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015

• Implementing rules and regulations of new laws on distracted driving, speed limiters and children aboard motorcycles have not been issued

• Data collection is poor

• No law on:

– Child restraints

– Bicycle helmets use

– Vehicle standards

• Lead agency with clear mandate needed

Other gaps

- End