Benhur Abalos, during his tenure as MMDA chairman 

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos has been named as "Ambassador for Road Safety" by two major groups representing motorcycle riders.

The Motorcycle Philippines Federation and the Motorcycle Road Safety Warriors officially recognized Abalos during a forum on Saturday, March 1, as they cited his extensive experience in public service and commitment to traffic management.

“As a leader who has long advocated for road safety, we believe that Benhur Abalos is the right person to champion the welfare of motorcycle and three-wheeled riders. We trust that he will work towards policies that protect and benefit riders across the country," the groups said in a joint statement.

Abalos and the two groups highlighted the pressing need for stronger road safety measures, as they pointed out the increasing number of motorcycle-related accidents.

“In 2022, the Road Safety Unit of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded at least 26,599 motorcycle accidents. This figure surged by 17.3 percent or 31,200 in 2023, meaning that an average of 78 motorcycle accidents occur daily in Metro Manila alone,” Abalos noted.

The former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary further explained that while motorcycle crashes accounted for 22 percent of all road accidents in 2023, car-related incidents made up 54 percent of the total. 

In Metro Manila alone, the MMDA reported over 86,000 vehicular accidents last year.

Data from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) revealed that there were 31,258 road accidents in 2024 nationwide, a total of 15,690 of them involved motorcycles and 4,224 tricycles. 

Abalos emphasized the importance of  education to promote road safety, and said there should be road safety subjects at least for senior high school student in preparation in preparation for their application for driver’s license. 

He also suggested the setting up of more motorcycle-riding training centers across the country in partnership with motorcycle dealers. He said there should be consultations on how to improve road safety. 

Also as a former MMDA chairman, Abalos had also initiated various measures to enhance road safety, including the establishment of emergency lay-by areas for motorcycle riders along EDSA. These designated areas provide shelter for riders during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of accidents caused by stopping in unsafe locations.

“We understand the difficulties faced by motorcycle riders when they have to stop in the middle of the road during downpours. This exposes them to potential collisions. The emergency lay-by offers a safer alternative where they can wait until conditions improve,” Abalos explained.