In an effort to reduce road accidents and achieve a zero-casualty record, the Quezon City Government has joined forces with public interest law group ImagineLaw to strengthen its road safety programs, policies, and enforcement measures.
Mayor Joy Belmonte announced the partnership in a news release on Monday, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of 74 cities working to prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and other preventable injuries.
“This partnership is very important to us in addressing the challenge of road crashes and injuries in the city and in making our roads safer for all road users, especially pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable groups,” Belmonte said.
Globally, NCDs and injuries account for over 80% of all deaths, highlighting the urgent need for stronger preventive policies. With most of the world’s population now living in cities, local governments are seen as key players in reducing exposure to risk factors and implementing life-saving interventions.
In Quezon City, data from the Transport and Traffic Management Department showed that in 2020, there were 1,841 recorded vehicular crashes, resulting in 12 fatalities and 638 injuries. The same report noted that 57 pedestrians were affected, impacting both their mobility and livelihood.
“With the increasing number of road users and vehicles in the city, the need for effective road safety policies and enforcement has become even more critical in ensuring zero deaths on the roads,” the city government said.
Under the new partnership, the Quezon City Government and ImagineLaw will collaborate to fully implement the Quezon City Road Safety Code, focusing on key areas such as road crash data management, safer road design, and stricter enforcement of speed limits and other traffic laws.
The joint initiative will also improve post-crash response systems, ensuring faster emergency action and better support for victims.
“We are excited to be working again with Quezon City towards the full implementation of the Quezon City Road Safety Code,” said ImagineLaw executive director Sophia San Luis.