Every November 17, the United Nations observes the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims as a means of promoting policies to reduce the number of road casualties.
“More than 1.3 million people die in road accidents every year,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “While the scale of the challenge is enormous, collective efforts can do much to prevent these tragedies.”
“Urgent action remains imperative,” he added. “On this ‘World Day,’ I call on all to join forces to address the global road safety crisis.”
According to the UN, 90 percent of fatal road accidents occur in middle to low-income countries; the Philippines is considered a “middle-income” country.”
Additionally, globally, those between the ages of 15 and 29 are predominantly impacted by road accidents.
According to the 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety, a publication of the World Health Organization, traffic accidents ranked eighth in terms of causes of death around the world in 2016.
While the report noted the Philippines as having laws regulating speed limits, drunk driving, motorcycle helmets, and seatbelts, it also found, on a scale of zero to 10, 10 being the best, the country scored between four and six in terms of enforcement./WDJ