Quezon City: The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday emphasized that road safety is a public health concern integral to sustainable development in the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the World Health Organization identifies road traffic injuries as the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged five to 29 years. In 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 12,241 deaths due to road crashes, as cited by DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. This figure translates to a death rate of 11 per 100,000 individuals, diverging from the target of four deaths per 100,000 individuals.

Speaking at the 2025 Philippine Road Safety Summit in Quezon City, Herbosa expressed concern over the increasing rate of road crashes, which have risen by 25.6 percent annually over the past decade. He highlighted that approximately 25,000 of the 296,000 injuries each year are linked to drunk driving, with 72 percent of incidents involving males, particularly during nighttime.

The DOH has identified road safety as a priority within its health outcomes list to ensure children can commute to school safely and access healthcare services without danger. Herbosa outlined a strategy involving cooperation with government agencies, local government units, and civil society organizations. The strategy also includes integrating road safety policies into national and local frameworks, promoting a culture of safety, and enhancing the capacity of local government units to respond to road crashes effectively.

Additionally, the DOH has strengthened healthcare facilities to provide trauma services and implemented a trauma registry across health facilities for real-time monitoring and data-driven interventions. Herbosa called on all relevant agencies and stakeholders to contribute to efforts aimed at making roads safer, especially for children, to bolster the economy, alleviate burdens, and foster stronger communities.