The loss of a highly valued and accomplished health professional in a pointless road accident last Friday 28 April prompted the Department of Health to, once again, urge all motorists to prevent the loss of life and property by driving carefully. Dr. Brigida Claro, who is a cardiologist and chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, succumbed to injuries incurred in a severe vehicular accident while on an official sortie to conduct ocular inspections of government medical facilities in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial expressed her grief and condolences at the loss of her esteemed colleague to such an incident that could have easily have been avoided. Dr. Claro was in a van with ten other government health workers on the official trip when the incident occurred. The driver steered their vehicle into the left lane, hoping to overtake another vehicle in front of them, but had to unexpectedly swerve more to the left and into the road island when the vehicle in front of them also moved to the left lane to overtake another vehicle further ahead.
The health secretary decried the fact that such catastrophic events happen even as they are totally unnecessary and easily preventable simply by abiding by traffic regulations, observing proper road courtesy, and not taking dangerous risks in the interest of saving travel time. She noted that the improved road infrastructure now enjoyed in many parts of the Philippines enables smoother and more rapid travel for many Filipinos, but will only result in safer travel if motorists behave accordingly.
Globally, road safety is promoted mainly through five key areas for effective interventions as recommended by the World Health Organization. These areas are reduction of driving speed by enforcing speed limits or installation of speed reduction road features, elimination of drunken driving by enforcing existing policies and increasing advocacy efforts, promoting or requiring the use of proper seatbelts and child restraints, enforcing helmet wearing policies for motorcycle and bicycle riders, and increasing visibility through proper lighting and use of reflective surfaces.
“Perhaps, we should stress on the need of a sixth intervention area, which is safe, careful, and courteous driving,” Secretary Ubial commented. “In my day-to-day travel to and from office, I observe how too many motorists take needless risks such as speeding, counterflowing, disobeying traffic lights, and completely disregarding the need to use vehicular turn signals that are meant to promote safety and road courtesy.
The DOH Secretary urged all Filipino motorists, most especially official vehicles, whether of national agencies or local governments, to follow the example of the President with regard to road courtesy and proper observance of traffic regulations. She also urged traffic enforcement personnel at the local government level to institute and enforce road safety policies such as speed limits along specific stretches of highway.
The DOH notes that as summer is in full swing, many more motorists are likely to be taking road trips on provincial highways at which they may be tempted to drive at high speeds. Studies show that there is a 3 percent increase in the incidence of injury car crashes and a 5 percent increase in the risk of fatal car crashes for every 1 percent increase of speed. The Secretary called for an increased level of advocacy for safe driving, especially among the private sector. She reminded drivers of the grave responsibilities they have as the lives of innocent passengers are in their hands.
“It is, indeed, ironic how persons like Dr. Claro may spend a greater part of their professional lives promoting the health and safety of others, and lose their lives pointlessly in a road mishap,” Secretary Ubial remarked.
