Road crashes are a major cause of death globally and in the Philippines. Each year over 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes worldwide, with most deaths occurring in low and middle income countries like the Philippines. In the Philippines, road crashes are the 4th leading cause of death. Metro Manila sees over 240 road crashes per day resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands injured annually. The economic and social costs of road crashes amount to billions of pesos each year in the Philippines. Proper interventions targeting risk factors like speeding, lack of restraint use, non-use of helmets, and drunk driving have been shown to significantly reduce road crashes and deaths.

1. 20th National Press Forum  June 23, 2016
Evita Ricafort
Policy Adviser, ImagineLaw
Road Safety

2. ImagineLaw
 A non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to
utilize legal and policy expertise in aid of
development in the Philippines.
 Public policy development and advocacy
 Research
 Knowledge and capacity building
 Information, education, and communication campaigns

3. Image from www.crashnotaccident.com

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 injured
 21,345 incidents of damage to property
 Causes reported:
 79% - driver error
 11% - road conditions
 11% - defective vehicles
Source: MMDA Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) 2014

7. In 2013, the DPWH recorded 1,513 deaths.
Source: DPWH – Traffic Accident Reporting and Analysis System (TARAS)

8. 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

9. The number of deaths and injuries is rising
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2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
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Source: MMDA Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) 2014

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 for
Legislative Affairs (www.grsproadsafety.org)

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. Philippine Laws on Road Safety
Risk Factor Law?
Speed Limits ✔
Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving ✔
Motorcycle Helmet ✔
Seatbelt Use ✔
Child Restraints ✗

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