20th National Press Forum June 23, 2016Evita Ricafort Policy Adviser, ImagineLaw

Road Safety

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Image from www.crashnotaccident.com

The global situation

Every year, around 1.2 million are killed and 50 million are injured in road crashes

Most deaths occur in LMICs like the Philippines

Road traffic injuries account for 2.1% of all global deaths and is the 11th leading cause of death

Leading cause of death among people aged 15-29

The Philippine situation

In 2008, DOH reported road crashes as the 4th leading cause of death in the Philippines

Current data suggests that 300,000 Filipinos will die of road crashes by 2020 if preventive measures are not taken

In Metro Manila alone…

One person is killed in a road crash every 21 hours. In 2014, 90,258 road crash incidents were recorded -- or

an average of 248 road crashes every day.444 deaths (196 pedestrians, 177 drivers, 71

passengers)20,901 injured21,345 incidents of damage to property

Causes reported:79% - driver error11% - road conditions 11% - defective vehicles

Source: MMDA Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) 2014

In 2013, the DPWH recorded 1,513 deaths.

Source: DPWH – Traffic Accident Reporting and Analysis System (TARAS)

Source: 2013 DPWH Traffic Accident Reporting and Analysis System (TARAS), as cited in the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015

Out of 1,513 deaths in 2013:• 53% - riders of motorcycles and tricycles• 19% - pedestrians• 14% - drivers• 11% - passengers• 2% - cyclists

The number of deaths and injuries is rising

2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

1000020000300004000050000600007000080000

Source: MMDA Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) 2014

Social and economic costs

Globally, direct economic cost of road crashes is estimated at $518 billion.

The cost of road crash injuries is estimated at roughly 1% of the GNP in low-income countries, and 1.5% in middle-income countries.

In the Philippines, the estimated GDP lost due to road traffic crashes is 2.6% (2009, Sigua, NTCS) In 2015, the cost of road crashes in the Philippines amounted

to over Php392 billion, based on a GDP of PhP15.1 trillion

Road Safety Risk Factors

WHO has identified risk factors where proper intervention or countermeasures have been shown to effectively reduce road traffic crashes. Speeding Use of restraints Helmets Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Speeding

Crash risk increases as speed increases The relative risk of crash

involvement doubles for each increase of 5kph above 60kph.

Car occupants in a crash with an impact speed of 80kph are 20 times more likely to die than if the impact speed were 30kph.

Pedestrians have a 90% chance of surviving impacts at 30kph, but less than 50% chance of surviving those at 45kph or above.

Image source: International Institute forLegislative Affairs (www.grsproadsafety.org)

Use of Restraints

Seatbelt use reduces the risk of death among drivers and front-seat occupants by 45-50%. For rear-seat occupants, the risk of death and serious injury is reduced by 25% and minor injuries by up to 75%. (GRSP)

The use of safety seats in cars reduce infant deaths by approximately 71%, while deaths of small children are reduced by 54%. (WHO)

Image source: National Road Safety Committee Bahamas(www.grsproadsafety.org)

Helmets

• Use of helmets has been shown to reduce fatal and serious head injuries by between 20% to 45% and to be the most successful approach for preventing injury among motorized two-wheeler riders.

• Head trauma is the main cause of death and morbidity, contributing to around 75% of deaths.

• Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head and brain injuries by between 63% and 88%.

World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention (2004)

Image source: 7-percent.org(www.grsproadsafety.org)

Drunk or Drugged Driving

Drivers who had consumed alcohol had a higher risk of involvement in crashes than those with a zero BAC.

Each 0.02% increase in BAC level approximately doubled the risk of involvement in a fatal crash.

Alcohol was present in between 33% and 69% of fatally injured drivers, and in between 8% and 29% of non-fatally injured.

World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention (2004)

Image source: SomersetRoad Safety(www.grsproadsafety.org)

Philippine Laws on Road Safety

Risk Factor Law?

Speed Limits ✔

Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving ✔

Motorcycle Helmet ✔

Seatbelt Use ✔

Child Restraints ✗

2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

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Fatal Non-Fatal DTP Series4

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