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Manila Bulletin devider devider DOTr chief vows to improve road safety in PH

DOTr chief vows to improve road safety in PH

Published Sep 20, 2019 04:47 pm
By Alexandria San Juan Transportation chief Arthur Tugade vowed to further improve road safety in the country following a directive from President Duterte to carry out more stringent enforcement on road safety checks. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade (Department of Transportation's Official Facebook Page / MANILA BULLETIN) DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade (Department of Transportation's Official Facebook Page / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN) "Ilang buhay na naman ang nawala sa atin. Itigil na ang kawalan ng disiplina. Itigil na ang pagiging pabaya sa kalsada. Sa utos ng ating Pangulo, sisikapin naming masiguro na tanging mga roadworthy vehicles lang ang bibiyahe sa kalsada, at lahat ng driver ay may sapat na kaalaman at disiplina sa pagmamaneho," Tugade said in a statement. (We lost a few more lives. Stop the lack of discipline. Stop being negligent on the road. At our President's command, we will try to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles will be road-tripped, and all drivers will have the necessary knowledge and driving discipline.) This was after the President ordered transportation officials to intensify roadworthiness checks, improve driver's licensing requirements, periodic drug testing, and financial capability checks for operators following a recent road mishap involving a private truck in South Cotabato. Police report showed that the truck was used to ferry a family to an outing when it fell into a ravine killing at least 20 people and injured 14 others. READ MORE: 20 dead, 14 hurt in South Cotabato road accident In a meeting with the DOTr chief and officials, and PNP officers over the week, President Duterte directed for an immediate roadworthiness inspection of public utility vehicles (PUVs) and the conduct of regular inspections in PUV terminals. President Duterte also emphasized that private vehicles used beyond their legitimate purpose should be banned, while the need for PUV operators to invest in road safety equipment and facilities should be pushed further. He added that operators who do not have the financial capability for safety improvements should cease to operate. On licensing requirements, the Chief Executive stated that driving a motor vehicle should require a minimum IQ level and that drug tests be made mandatory for drivers to reduce the risk of accidents. The President also ordered the police to pursue criminal cases against drivers involved in road crashes and recommended to study the imposition of minimum imprisonment sentences to erring drivers involved in such crashes. For his part, the Transportation secretary assured to improve road safety on three points such as roadworthiness checks through the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS), comprehensive driver training and education under the "Tsuper Iskolar" Program with TESDA, and improved driver’s licensing requirements using the IT system of the Land Transportation Office (LTO). READ MORE: TESDA launches Tsuper Iskolar in Metro Manila Meanwhile, an Executive Order on stricter road safety enforcement will soon be issued by the Palace, DOTr said.
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