Cebu City Transportation Office chief Raquel Arce has again raised concerns about road accidents, specifically warning motorcycle drivers who violate traffic rules at night or early dawn when no law enforcers are on duty. The warning comes as videos of motorcycle accidents have flooded social media recently. Without the protective buffer of a car's body to absorb crash energy, motorcycle drivers often suffer severe consequences in collisions.
National Road Safety Month Observance
May is officially designated as National Land Transportation Road Safety Month under Presidential Proclamation 115-A. The declaration aims to raise public awareness on responsible road use, promote safe driving, and reduce traffic accidents. However, similar to Fire Prevention Month in March, the observance often sees more violations than compliance, with fatal road accidents tending to increase during this period.
Lack of Educational Campaigns
One reason for the rise in accidents is the absence of active educational campaigns on road safety. Aside from the training required to obtain a driver's license, there are no follow-up activities for continuous learning. Government agencies should mount photo exhibits in schools or malls showing accident images to serve as warnings, no matter how horrific. Exposing the public to such visuals can effectively educate youth on road safety importance.
Youth Vulnerability
Statistics show that young riders aged 16-25 are significantly more vulnerable in crash accidents. Although they make up only 10-12 percent of registered drivers, they account for up to 13.9 percent of land transport deaths yearly. Young adults often engage in sensation-seeking behaviors, impulsiveness, and overconfidence, leading to unsafe riding habits, especially where traffic enforcers are absent. Many young riders, including minors, ride without helmets or licenses, particularly in Cebu City's mountain barangays with hazardous roads.
In conclusion, we support Raquel Arce's call for motorcycle drivers to practice road safety. We urge government offices to conduct relevant activities during National Land Transportation Road Safety Month to raise awareness, especially among the youth.
