CCTO wants city to remember road traffic victims

CEBU, Philippines —  With the observance of World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims set every third Sunday of November every year, the city government aims to do its part, not only in the commemoration of the day, but also in making sure that strict traffic regulations are implemented in the city.

Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon, who also chairs the City’s Traffic Management Coordination Committee, is pushing for a resolution to be one with the Department of Transportation as it remembers road victims, survivors and their families.

DOTR in its post said that the National Day of Remembrance this year highlights the pursuit of justice for road crash victims, survivors, and their families.

This “echoes the need for collective accountability on the road and the call for stringent implementation of road traffic laws to prevent unwanted deaths and injuries due to road crashes,” part of DOTR’s statement reads.

Gealon said a resolution urging the Office of the Mayor, through CCTO, to stand in solidarity with DOTR in remembrance for road traffic victims, survivors and their families, “is proper and in order”.

“This calls for the strict enforcement of traffic ordinances, rules and regulations being a deterrent for road mishaps,” said Gealon to The Freeman.

Reckless driving, which may be due to a deliberate act of evading our traffic laws, abusive conduct or plain negligence, sometimes coupled with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is the principal cause of these mishaps posing danger to lives and limbs, Gealon added.

“Driving entails responsibility and accountability so we must be careful on the road. For all we know, the life we save may just be our own,” stressed Gealon.

According to DOTR, road traffic deaths remain a silent pandemic where 30 people die every day due to unnecessary road crashes in the Philippines.

“As the country observes the National Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic victims, survivors, and their families, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), under the leadership of Secretary Jaime Bautista, remains firm in its commitment to strengthen road safety awareness and provide better and safer roads for all road users, especially the vulnerable ones.”

DOTR pledges to continuously have road safety integrated in all programs and projects to ensure that no more lives are lost due to road safety negligence.

“This observance, let's keep working together in the pursuit of justice for the victims of road crashes. Let's aim for a community where road crash incidents are not just lamented but prevented.” (CEBU NEWS)