Solons propose road courtesy, traffic safety subject in school

MANILA, Philippine—Should road courtesy be taught to elementary and high school students? A pair of lawmakers is proposing just that.

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Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Abante Mindanao Maximo Rodriguez Jr. filed House Bill 4160 in Congress, which proposes the introduction of a subject called road courtesy, discipline and traffic safety education to students enrolled in Grade 1 to 4th year high school.

“There seems to be a growing number of traffic accidents in the country which can be attributed mainly to the sheer disregard of traffic laws or ignorance,” the congressmen said in a statement.

Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, they pointed out that the share of road traffic injuries compared to the number of total deaths is expected to increase to 3.5 percent in 2030 from 2.2 percent in 2004. Traffic-related fatalities are projected to become the 5th leading cause of death behind heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory infections.

Meanwhile, WHO said 7,000 Filipinos die each year due to road traffic accidents.

Since many traffic accidents are attributed to “sheer disregard of traffic laws or ignorance,” the lawmakers said education of students on traffic discipline will help address the problem.

They said the best way to inculcate road courtesy in Philippine culture is by starting with children.

Under the proposed measure, students will be taught traffic signs, rights and obligations of pedestrians and drivers, as well as laws on driving.

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