By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
A lawmaker is seeking to require elementary and high school students in the Philippines to undergo road safety and drivers’ education.
Sen. Bong Revilla Jr.
(Senate of the Philippines)
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. filed Senate Bill No. 451 which proposes to integrate basic road safety and comprehensive drivers’ education in the curriculum of the current K-12 program.
In pushing for the approval of his bill, Revilla raised concern over the increasing incidence of road accidents caused by the lack of knowledge on basic road safety and traffic rules.
“It is alarming that a lot of adults today have little or no knowledge of basic road safety and traffic rules and regulations. Studies show that many road accidents and mishaps resulted from ignorance or false understanding of traffic rules and regulations,” the senator said in his bill.
Stressing it as "everyone's responsibility", Revilla said "common sense dictates" that all should have a basic understanding of road safety.
"It is high time, therefore, that we address this deficiency and 'drive' towards safer roads by producing more well-rounded individuals thereby increasing also the safety and efficiency of road traffic," he said.
SB No. 451 proposes to mandate the teaching of basic road safety and comprehensive drivers' education to students in all public and private elementary and high schools in the country.
Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) to develop a basic road safety education program, in coordination with the Department of Transportation, University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies, as well as road safety advocates and organizations, to be included in the K-12 curriculum.
The road safety education shall include rights and responsibilities of pedestrians and commuters in the use of all types of road transportation; road awareness; road signage and responsible commuting; as well as driving rules and regulations, driving courtesy, driving safety, road hazards and vehicle of safety features.
The DepEd shall coordinate with the Land Transportation Office for the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations of the measure if it is signed into law.
Revilla, in the bill, suggested the use of the Motor Vehicles User's Charge collections for the
implementation of the measure.