VP Sara Duterte Urges Collective Action for Road Safety Amid Rising Death Toll
SARA DUTERTE – Vice President Sara Duterte emphasized the need for unity in promoting road safety, especially in light of the alarming number of traffic-related deaths.
As the nation observes Land Transportation Safety Month, Vice President Sara Duterte issued a compelling reminder to the public about the importance of road safety, citing the staggering number of lives lost due to road accidents.
In a video message released Monday, VP Duterte revealed that more than 11,000 Filipinos died in road-related incidents in 2021. She noted that most of the victims were vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders, and tricycle passengers. Alarmingly, a significant portion of the casualties were young people aged 15 to 29.
“Noong taong 2021, mahigit 11,000 na Pilipino ang nasawi dahil sa aksidente sa kalsada. Karamihan sa kanila, mga pedestrian, motorista, siklista, at pasahero ng traysikel. Marami sa mga biktima ay kabataang edad 15 hanggang 29.”
The vice president stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility—not just of the government but also of the private sector and every citizen. She urged the public to take simple but meaningful steps to prevent further tragedies on the road.
“Ngayong Land Transportation Safety Month, magtulungan tayo para sa mas ligtas, mas maayos na biyahe para sa lahat,” Duterte said.
She reminded the public to obey traffic rules, use designated pedestrian crossings, avoid distractions like mobile phones while driving or walking, and report road hazards immediately.
“Mga kababayan, sumunod tayo sa batas-trapiko. Gamitin ang tamang tawiran. Iwasan ang paggamit ng cellphone habang nagmamaneho o naglalakad. At i-report agad ang mga panganib sa daan. Simpleng disiplina, malaking ambag sa kaligtasan.”
VP Duterte’s call for safer roads comes in the wake of recent tragedies, including the deadly Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) crash and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) car accident. These incidents have reignited concerns over road safety enforcement and the urgent need for stronger awareness and discipline on the road.
Her message serves as a timely call to action, urging every Filipino to play a part in saving lives through vigilance, responsibility, and respect for traffic laws.