Philippines aims to improve road safety

A major road safety focus is being planned for the Philippines, which is intended to cut deaths and injuries on the country’s roads. The new Philippine Road Safety Action Plan has been set out by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The aim of the plan from the DOTr is to cut fatalities from road crashes by 35% by 2028.

A number of methods will be used to lower the crash rate, including the promotion of road safety awareness and safer options for transport. Tougher enforcement of traffic laws will be used as well as stricter regulation of driver licensing and a crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles.

In 2022 there were 11,487 road deaths in the Philippines, a 3.4% increase on the 11,114 road deaths recorded in 2021.

Vietnam is one of the few nations in South East Asia to have made a significant reduction in road crash deaths and injuries in recent years. Its methods have included stricter enforcement of helmet use by powered two wheeler users and tougher enforcement of laws against speeding and driving under the influence of drink or drugs.