The Healthy Juan: Road safety for motorists, passengers, and pedestrians
About 42 vehicular accidents happen on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenuen (EDSA) daily while crashes mostly occur in Commonwealth Avenue. Road traffic crashes are a major cause of death among all age groups and the leading cause of death for most young adults aged 18 to 34 years old.
The risk of dying in a road traffic crash, according to the World Health Organization, is more than three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries, and that includes the Philippines.
This fact, among the many tallied by the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Health, presents that motorists and pedestrians must take action for a safer road for all.
How do we achieve that?
With the help of The Healthy Juan and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), we list down the top 5 things everyone must take note of in improving our roads and helping save lives.
1. Control your speed
Traffic signs to promote speed limits / Source: AutoDeal.com
Did you know that for every 1% increase in mean speed, there's a 4% increase in the risk of a fatal crash? For example, a pedestrian hit by a car at 65 km/h faces more than 4 times the risk of death than if the car were driving at 50 km/h.
Keep this consequence in mind so you're always reminded to observe the speed limit.
2. Never drink and drive
Have a designated driver if you're gonna drink out / Source: Drive Like A Girl.com
You've heard this before and we're saying it again, don't drink and drive. Driving while intoxicated increases the risk of a crash dramatically when the driver has a blood-alcohol concentration of above 0.05 g/dl.
So the best practice when going out and partying with your friends is to have a designated driver who wouldn't mind refusing drinks and will take you home in one piece.
3. For motorcycle riders, wear a good quality helmet
Wear government-approved helmets / Source: Freepik.com
According to WHO, wearing a good quality helmet can reduce your risk of death by 42% and severe injury by 70% -- this counts for both drivers and riders on all roads and engine types.
Fun fact: The Philippines has a law called the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 or RA 10054 that mandates all motorcycle riders to wear a standard protective motorcycle helmet while driving, whether long or short drives. Anyone who violates this law will be given a penalty.
If you're wondering if we have a specific helmet to be used, yes. The Department of Trade and Industry has provided guidelines regarding the specifications of standard protective motorcycle helmets.
4. Wear your seatbelt
Always buckle up / Source: HowStuffWorks.com
Whether you're in the front seat or the back seat, wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of injuries and deaths by 45-50% and 25-75%, respectively.
For toddlers, drivers must use a child safety seat to protect their children at all times as it reduces their risk of death by 60%.
5. Don't text and drive
Keep your eyes on the road / Source: Wired.com
Mobile phones are a distraction so don't text while driving even if you're doing it hands-free.
Based on statistics, telephone use while driving increases the risk of a crash by four times while texting increases the risk by around 23 times because driver reactions are 50% slower when using a mobile device.
Aside from these five tips, MMDA advises to always come prepared.
As expressed by MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago, “How to stay safe? You always have to be ready. You're safe if you're ready.
“Like in any calamity, kahit papaano kapag dumadating ang kalamidad kasi ready ka.
“It's the same as with any driver if na-flat 'yung gulong mo but if you're ready at na-check mo 'yung sasakyan mo, kahit papaano it would be much easier for you.
“As a citizen and as a driver, you should be responsible.
“Again, kung maaksidene ka hindi lang ikaw ang maaring maabala at mapahamak. Maari kang makaabala ng iba at makapahamak ng ibang tao.
“And lastly, this is a general lesson in life, nasa huli ang pagsisisi.”