Road Safety and Comprehensive Driver's Education Act

: REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REFURLEOF TE PEOPES First Regular Session JUL -3 P5:01 SENATE -.-..- S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INTEGRATING BASIC ROAD SAFETY AND COMPREHENSIVE DRIVER'S EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULUM OF THE ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION (KT012) PROGRAM EXPLANATORY NOTE The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.19 million people die every year due to road traffic accidents. Alarmingly, road accidents have become the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5 to 29. In the Philippines, road safety presents a complex challenge that requires urgent action. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), land transport accidents account for 1.9 percent of the country's fatalities, with the highest number of deaths noted in 2023. A significant proportion of these incidents involve young people, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive road safety education. It is essential for the government to implement a comprehensive intervention strategy aimed at reducing road accidents across all transportation-related roadways. This can be achieved by ensuring that all road users possess a thorough understanding of fundamental road safety principles and receive comprehensive driver education. Currently, road safety education is lacking in the K to 12 curriculum, leaving students inadequately prepared to navigate roadways safely. By integrating road safety into the educational framework, this measure aims to bridge this critical knowledge gap and cultivate a culture of accountability and caution among young Filipinos. This bill is a significant step toward protecting lives and nurturing a culture of road safety and responsibility.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Dider ofia TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -3 P5:01 SENATE S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INTEGRATING BASIC ROAD SAFETY AND COMPREHENSIVE DRIVER'S EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULUM OF THE ENHANCED BASIC EDUCATION (KT012) PROGRAM Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Road Safety and

Comprehensive Driver's Education Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

reduce road accidents on all types of roads used for transportation by raising the awareness of road users such as pedestrians, commuters and motorists on their rights and responsibilities and the everyday risks that they face. As such, the State shall ensure that all road users are aware of the principles of basic road safety and comprehensive driver's education.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Basic road safety refers to the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians and commuters in their use of all types of roads used for transportation in order to reduce the incidence of road accidents. It shall include, but not be limited to, road awareness, road signages, responsible commuting, and the responsibilities of pedestrians;

(b) Comprehensive Driver's Education refers to the rights and responsibilities of drivers in their use of all types of roads used for transportation in order to reduce the incidence of road accidents. It shall include but not be limited to basic road safety and its components, education on pertinent laws and rules and regulations on driving, traffic signages, driving safety, and car passenger safety; (c) K to 12 refers to the enhanced basic education program created under Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of2013". ARTICLE II PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Sec. 4. Integration into Curriculum. - Basic road safety and comprehensive

driver's education are hereby integrated into the curriculum of the K to 12 program. Basic road safety shall be made part of the elementary curriculum. Comprehensive driver's education shall be made part of the junior and senior high school and higher education curricula.

Sec. 5. Ad-Hoc Curriculum Committee. - There shall be created an ad-hoc

curriculum committee composed of the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the executive director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the executive director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), or their permanent representatives. The committee shall be administratively attached to the DepEd and chaired by the DepEd Secretary or his permanent representative. The Committee shall conduct public hearings and consult concerned stakeholders from the private and non-governmental sectors. The committee shall convene within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act and shall have one (1) year to design the basic road safety and comprehensive driver's education program and Its components. Thereafter, the Committee shall be functus officio and the member agencies shall ensure the full and continuing implementation of this Act.

ARTICLE III FINAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The funds needed for the purpose of this Act shall be

indicated as a line item under the budget of the DepEd under the General 5 Appropriations Act. Appropriations for the implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the Special Road Safety Fund as created under Republic Act No. 8794.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The DepEd, CHED, DOTr, LTO,

LTFRB, and MMDA shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days from its effectivity.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected by shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,