A SENATOR on Wednesday filed a measure requiring the government to put up road and public safety signages that follow international standards to lessen accidents.

Senate Bill No. 2293 or the Public Safety Signages Accountability Act, filed by Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, will mandate the government to provide citizens timely and correct information on traffic instructions, road hazards and other warning signages.

“Articles and images of faulty or questionable signages have been reported throughout the years and such still remain as evident threats to both motorists and pedestrians,” said Ms. Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

She said while there are other factors that contribute to accidents, having visible road signs and ideal distances would protect and save lives.

In the capital region alone, road crashes in 2019 reached 121,771, of which 372 were fatal, Ms. Poe said citing data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). In 2020, 65,032 road crashes resulting in 337 deaths were registered despite mobility restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the bill, the Department of Public Works and Highways will be in charge of public safety signs in national roads while the MMDA will oversee national roads in Metro Manila. Local government units will monitor local roads.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau will be tasked to update the geohazard map and identify areas that are susceptible to natural calamities for the installation of appropriate warning signs.

Under the proposed law, government officials may be held liable for deaths or injuries resulting from the lack or absence of proper signages. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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