LTO-5 Promotes Road Safety Among School Kids

The Land Transportation Office in Bicol (LTO-5) is educating school children about road safety to reduce road crashes in the region.

“We really have to educate the youth. Road safety should start from the students and self-discipline should start at their young age,” Noreen San Luis-Lutey, LTO-5 regional director, said.

Through the “Students Today, Road Users Tomorrow” campaign of LTO-5, students will be knowledgeable of traffic rules and regulations, and go back to the basic rules on road courtesy and safety through the help of mass and social media.

In observance of the road safety month this May, LTO-5 encourages students to learn about the traffic rules and regulations, one of which is the use of standard protective motorcycle helmet pursuant to the RA 10054.

Another road safety measure is the use of seatbelt under the RA 8750.

LTO-5 also appealed to the youth to be mindful of anti-drunk and drugged driving law that prohibits a person from driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and other similar substances.

LTO-5 also advises the students on the Anti-Distracted Driving Act of 2016 which outlaws the use of mobile phone or any electronic gadgets while driving.

“There are many laws on road safety and security that we must enforce to prevent road crashes and serious injuries. We must follow these laws,” Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director Arnel Escobal said.

Meanwhile, Lutey announced their plan to create a regional road safety task force that will constantly monitor illegal activities on the road.

She added that the plan was still under further study and should it’s creation happen, the road safety task force might include the LTO, PNP, Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation and Regulatory Board, and the Public Safety Officers of every municipality.

“Road crash is preventable. It is part of our social responsibility,” Lutey said.

She added that the right term to be used from now on is road crash rather than road accident. (PIA-V)