Driving and traveling have been part of the everyday routine of every Filipino. This may range from going to work, visiting tourist attractions, or attending classes. However, despite its importance, it has also caused numerous injuries and accidents in the country. According to the World Health Organization (2020), road traffic accident deaths in the Philippines reached 13,017, or 1.93% of total deaths.
One of the laws regulating road accidents in the country is Republic Act No. 8750, which requires mandatory compliance by motorists of private and public vehicles to use seat belt devices, and vehicle manufacturers to install seat belt devices in all their manufactured vehicles. The target populations of this law are the drivers and vehicle manufacturers. It aims to promote their safety and to ensure that injuries will be minimized when accidents occur. Moreover, it also benefits the health sector by reducing medical costs and additional work from vehicular accidents (CDC, 2011). On the flip side, the compulsory use of seatbelts is just one of the many policies that can eradicate and help alleviate the number of road injuries and accidents in the country. It does not respond to the root causes, such as the lack of driver’s license regulation; poor, corrupt, and unfair implementation of policies; and dangerous roads that make drivers more prone to accidents.
Although the law has good intentions, there is still a lack of monitoring and ineffective regulation on the road. However, despite this, the law is still followed by most people, especially in our locality, simply because they understand its importance, which is crucial in the implementation of the policy.
REFERENCES:
CDC. 2011. Policy Impact: Seat Belts. https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/seatbeltbrief/index.html#:~:text=Among%20drivers%20and%20front%2Dseat,of%20serious%20injury%20by%2050%25.&text=Seat%20belts%20prevent%20drivers%20and,a%20vehicle%20during%20a%20crash.
PEATC.GOV. 1999. REPUBLIC ACT No. 8750. https://peatc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/REPUBLIC%20ACT%20No.%208750.pdf.
WHO. 2020. PHILIPPINES: ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/philippines-road-traffic-accidents#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20latest%20WHO,Philippines%20%23109%20in%20the%20world.