SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 1 seeks a reduction to the increasing road traffic incidents in Region 1, with a total of 236 vehicular accidents and 43 deaths recorded from January 1 to November 7, 2023, representing an increase of 11 percent from the 2022 figure of 213.
 
The figures were reported during a coordination meeting organized by the DOH in this city on February 29, part of the agency's commitment to beef up its campaign against road traffic accidents through the assistance of various partner agencies and private stakeholders to prevent road crashes and injuries.

The agency as a whole is looking at reducing the increasing number of road traffic deaths in the country, particularly focusing on pedestrians and riders.
 
The DOH says that around 1.35 million people die worldwide due to road traffic accidents and another 50 million are injured, making it not just a national issue but a worldwide concern.
 
Data from the health agency also indicates that road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death worldwide for children aged 5-14 years old and young adults aged 15-29 years old.
 
In the Philippines, an estimated 12,000 Filipinos die yearly due to road crashes, a figure that has steadily increased in the last decade.
 
From a figure of 7,938 deaths in 2011, the number increased to 11,096 deaths in 2021, with males representing 84 percent of the casualties.

One of the yearly activities conducted by the DOH and its partners to arrest the increasing road traffic accidents is the ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ every November, aiming to create a dedicated group to address road traffic accidents and minimize road crashes and injuries on the road.
 
On May 23-24, 2024, the DOH will also spearhead the conduct of a ‘Biyaheng Kalusugan for Road Safety’ in La Union province, to address the growing road safety concerns.
 
DOH and its partners are also holding the ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ every November, aiming to create a dedicated group to address road traffic accidents and minimize road crashes and injuries on the road.
 
DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco says the road traffic campaigns aim to prevent further deaths and injuries among motorists and pedestrians and to create an environment where safer roads exist for all.
 
“Our aim is to have safer streets to protect not only our motorists but all pedestrians and residents as well and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries from happening,” Sydiongco says.
 
As support to the DOH's campaign for road traffic accidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up its presence on the roads, ensuring that motorists follow traffic regulations to minimize accidents.
 
The PNP, through its Highway Patrol Group, has also partnered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for increased vehicle monitoring as a way to strengthen road safety measures, providing interconnectivity between the agencies for real-time monitoring as a way to keep roads safe for all. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)