Unenforced road safety laws to kill millions — ADB

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday warned that over three million Asians will die in road accidents from 2011 to 2020 if countries fail to implement effective road safety measures. ADB vice president Bindu Lohani said the numbers of vehicles in the region will double every four to five years because of rapid economic growth. “However, this growth need not be accompanied by an equally high and unnecessary loss of life on the region’s roads and highways," he said. Lohani stressed, “Simple measures such as enforcement of helmet and seat belt laws can save lives." The ADB launched at its Manila headquarters the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, meant to bring down the number of fatal road accidents tallied every year at 1.18 million worldwide. At the launch were Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose de Jesus, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Representative Roger G. Mercado, chairman of the House committee on transportation. Road Safety Action Plan promotes safety in the planning, design, construction and operation of all ADB assistance to its developing member countries, the multilateral lender said. ADB infrastructure projects provide for crash barriers, central median barriers, and pedestrian facilities, in addition to legislative, enforcement and public education programs. The Philippines’ law on seat belt use is Republic Act No. 8750, enacted in 1999, while the Motorcycle Helmet law is Republic Act 10054, which took effect in 2010. The Philippine government declared its support for the UN Decade on Road Safety through Proclamation 159 issued by President Benigno Aquino III. — With Earl Rosero/VS, GMA News