In the wake of the World Health Organization finding that 53 percent of vehicular accident fatalities in the Philippines were riding motorcycles, Sen. Francis Escudero urged the government to utilize the road users’ tax to mount a massive campaign to promote the motorcycle riders’ rights.
The WHO said in its Global Status Report on Road Safety for 2015 that riders of two- or three-wheel vehicles topped the list of road user deaths in the Philippines in 2013.
According to the study based on the 2013 Traffic Accident Recording and Analysis System of the Department of Public Works and Highways, pedestrians made up 19 percent of the road user deaths; drivers of four-wheel cars and light vehicles, 14 percent, and their passengers, 11 percent; and cyclists, 2 percent.
In the study, the WHO estimated the road user deaths in the Philippines at 10,379.
Escudero said the campaign should promote road courtesy, emphasizing that motorcycle riders are not inferior to those who use four-wheel vehicles.
“We have to remind our motorists to respect the rights of their fellow motorists, especially motorcycle riders,” said Escudero.
“At the same time, we also have to educate motorcycle riders to respect their fellow motorists’ rights by not weaving in and out of the lanes. The riders also have to be warned against risk-taking behavior, like riding without protective gear or under the influence of alcohol,” he added.
Because road courtesy and discipline could prevent accidents on the road, Escudero urged the Road Board to utilize its more than P1 billion Special Road Safety Fund for 2015 to put up reminders on the importance of sharing the road with motorcycle riders.
Escudero said the Road Board, which oversees the use of funds collected from the motor vehicle users’ charge (MVUC) or the road user’s tax, should step up its media campaign to improve awareness of the rights of motorcyclists on the road, especially now that two- and three-wheel vehicles now outnumber cars.
Of 7,690,038 registered vehicles in 2013, the WHO report said 4,250,667 were motorized two- and three-wheelers; 3,009,116 were four-wheel light vehicles; 358,445 were heavy trucks; and 31,665 buses.
Republic Act 8794 or the Road User’s Tax Law mandates that 7.5 percent of the MVUC collected by the Land Transportation Office should go to a special road safety fund.