DOH: Philippines regressing in road traffic mortality

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is regressing from its target of reducing road crash fatalities, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The current death rate for traffic collisions is 11 per 100,000, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

“This is moving us farther from the target of four per 100,000. The regression is unacceptable,” Herbosa said at yesterday’s Road Safety Summit.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that 12,241 deaths due to car crashes were recorded in 2022.

Efforts must be intensified to reverse the alarming number of road traffic deaths that impact children, Herbosa said.

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children and young adults aged five to 29, Herbosa said, citing the World Health Organization (WHO).

Road accidents increased annually by 25.6 percent, with males accounting for 72 percent of cases. Those injured were mostly children, Herbosa noted.

The DOH, he said, is committed to achieving the goals set in the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028.

The plan aims to reduce road traffic deaths by at least 35 percent by 2028, with a global road safety goal to reduce injuries by at least 50 percent by 2030.

Ten countries have met the target of reducing traffic deaths by 50 percent, the WHO said.