THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 supported the move to include road safety and discipline in the basic education curriculum to help prevent vehicular accidents.
LTO 7 Acting Director Alita Pulga said they are also supporting Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s resolution directing the Senate Committee on Public Services to conduct a hearing on the alarming number of road accidents in the country.
She said it will guide them in improving their facilities and increasing manpower in law enforcement.
“We have enough laws, rules and regulations but we do not have enough personnel,” Pulga said.
In his resolution, Pimentel said the committee should get inputs from LTO and local government units.
He wants the result to be part of a road courtesy and discipline subject that will be taught in schools.
Pimentel wants to know what other regulations the government can impose to ensure road safety.
Statistics provided by the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) shows an alarming increase in vehicular accidents across the country.
In 2014, there were 15,272 vehicular accidents nationwide with 1,252 deaths.
In 2015, the numbers increased to 24,565 vehicular accidents with 1,040 deaths.
In the first four months of 2016, the PNP-HPG already recorded 10,656 vehicular accidents with 549 deaths.
Pimentel said there must be information drives by LTO and the LGUs to help prevent road accidents.
He also wants a strong educational campaign on traffic laws especially for those who are applying for a driver’s license with LTO.
“In the revised guidelines, we don’t conduct lecture but we are strictly implementing and conducting written and practical examination for driver’s license applicants,” Pulga of LTO 7 said.
