SANTO TOMAS, Batangas -- The Philippine National Police (PNP)-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Calabarzon spearheaded a road safety campaign on Saturday, through its 1st Car and Motorycle Show, held along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Roque here.
HPG Director Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal, in an interview, said the event that carried the theme, “Knowledge, Continuing Education: Contributing Factor to Economic Growth Through Road Safety,” was part of HPG's “Disiplinadong Driver” Campaign.
The campaign started in Central Luzon-Region III, then in National Capital Region (NCR), and now in Region IV-A or Calabarzon Region comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. He said the campaign will continuously educate motorcycle riders amid the numerous fatal accidents involving motorcycles.
Escobal said they included educating drivers of four-wheeled vehicles and above on road safety and security to protect pedestrians, bicycle riders, and motorcycle drivers, who are considered vulnerable to accidents involving cars and trucks plying the roads as well as highways.
“We invited motor clubs to converge in one place and provide a venue to showcase their vehicles or if they are selling products that they can use,” Escobal said.
Escobal recognized the need for collaboration and partnership with motorists, especially organized groups, and also offered training services for free in order to reduce road accidents as called for by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“This also a venue for us to conduct, in a form of seminar, road safety and security and make them (clubs) our partners,” he added.
He cited their partnership with LBC, a courier company that recorded minimal accidents after their service crew drivers attended the road safety and security seminar conducted by HPG personnel.
He also mentioned their partnership with GRAB, a transport service company, turning their drivers into road safety ambassadors by serving as role models in observing traffic rules and regulations. They also do reporting of road crimes and accidents by texting to the newly-installed HPG hotline, PLDT-Smart number 7-444-474.
Escobal also offered their willingness to train traffic enforcers hired by local government units (LGUs) on proper traffic management, when requested.
In a related interview, Supt. Peter Dionisio, the HPG-Calabarzon regional director, said they invited auto clubs and motorcycle communities in the Calabarzon Region since they are the frequent road users, who needed more information on road safety and security based on international standards and on existing traffic laws.
Dionisio pointed out that the motor show will eventually make the motoring sector HPG partners, as well as force multipliers in the anti-criminality campaign of the PNP.
He cited the South Unite, the biggest auto club in the Calabarzon with more than 2,000 members spanning the cities of Santa Rosa, Biñan, San Pedro and Muntinlupa, who after getting proper knowledge can also report incidents they witnessed while on the road.
In addition, Dionisio cited as an example the incorrect practice of motorcycle and car owners to install auxiliary or additional LED lights, which is considered illegal attachment if found above the headlight; if lack of separate switch from the headlight, if used within populated areas, if it has no cover when used within city limits, and if beyond the standard manufacturing specifications.
Dionisio explained further that participating clubs and motorcycle groups will be subjected to continuing education since he considered knowledge to promote discipline, which is the primary factor among others, in easing road congestion, thereby promoting economic growth. (PNA)
