Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has reiterated his call for the government to implement stricter measures to address the alarming rise in road accidents.
Pimentel made the call following recent data report from the Department of Health (DOH) that logged 577 road accidents from Dec. 22, 2024 to Jan. 2, 2025.
“Hindi na dapat natin balewalain ang mga aksidente sa kalsada. Kailangan ng mas mahigpit na batas at mas mahusay na pagpapatupad upang maprotektahan ang ating mga mamamayan (We should no longer ignore road accidents. Stronger laws and better enforcement are needed to protect our citizens),” Pimentel said.
Pimentel had filed Senate Bill No. 1015, which seeks to amend Article 365 of Act No. 3815 or The Revised Penal Code, as amended, to address reckless driving and promote road safety.
The bill seeks stricter penalties for traffic violations, improve driver education and training, and enhance road infrastructure.
Under the bill, the State is mandated to take a more active role in reforming the mental attitude or condition that leads to reckless driving.
The bill also seeks to give the law more teeth by amending Article 365 of the RPC to increase the penalty of imprisonment for imprudence and negligence.
“Maiiwasan at mababawasan ang mga aksidente sa kalsada sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng mas mahigpit na batas at pagpapahusay sa ating sistema ng transportasyon (Road accidents can be prevented and reduced by enforcing stricter laws and improving our transportation system),” Pimentel added.
Pimentel reiterated it is important to prioritize safety and follow traffic regulations and to inculcate public awareness and responsible driving habits.
“Tandaan natin na ang bawat buhay ay mahalaga. Maging responsable sa pagmamaneho at sundin ang mga batas trapiko upang maiwasan ang mga aksidente (Let's remember that every life is important. Be responsible in driving and obey traffic laws to avoid accidents),” he said.