Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has sought an immediate review and possible revision of all national and local road signs and signals to avoid confusion among pedestrians and motorists alike and minimize traffic gridlocks and vehicular accidents.
De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 662 directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry on the need to standardize national and local road signs in conformity to international standards.
“It is the responsibility of the government to promote road safety in order to reduce the loss of lives and property due to road accidents and thus, there is a need to study whether our existing road signs and signals contribute to the rising number of road accidents nationwide,” she said.
More than 1.2 million road traffic deaths occur globally each year, according to the World Health Organization. In the Philippines alone, 28 persons or roughly every hour die due to road crashes.
The Senator from Bicol pointed out that there are some road signs which are either confusing, hardly visible from a distance or are installed in less conspicuous places, often resulting to vehicular crashes and even fatalities.
“There is also a need to explore possible legislation to properly adopt, for all national and local road signs, the prescribed system of road signs and signals on color, size shape and height from the ground in accordance with the Convention.”
She added that effective road signs are in order once the road construction under the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program starts, thereby expecting more road closures, excavations, detour and alternate routes.
She also underscored the need to pinpoint responsibilities of both local and national government in the construction of design, installation and maintenance of the road signs and signals.
In March 2017, De Lima has also filed Senate Resolution No. 314 to inquire into which concerned government agencies are responsible in administering a “regular, systematic and credible” inspection of all land-based vehicles for road safety.
The Philippines is signatory to the 1973 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals which obligates it to conform and implement the prescribed system of road signs, signals and symbols and of road markings necessary to increase road safety.