QUEZON City Rep. Alfred Vargas is pushing for the approval of a measure that will provide sufficient driver safety skills and awareness for tricycles.

Vargas drafted this bill to protect both the drivers and passengers, as tricycles remain to be the biggest mode of public transportation in the country.

To be called the Tricycle Drivers Safety Act, the House Bill 1577 seeks to establish tricycle training and motorist awareness programs at the national level.

As of 2012, there were over 658,675 for-hire tricycles and motorcycles operating in the Philippines, accounting for nearly 67.9 percent of the total for-hire vehicle population.

Citing reports of the National Center for Transportation Studies of the University of the Philippines, Vargas said that tricycle organizations play an important role in developing intermodal transportation that are intended to be reliable, responsive, complimentary and a viable service to the commuting public.

However, Vargas said, tricycles are perceived to be more accident-prone than four-wheeled vehicles. It ranked 4th in causing motor vehicles injuries in Metro Manila.

“To prevent accidents, our tricycle drivers need proper training and support from the government through an appropriate program,” Vargas said.

Under the proposed law, the Land Transportation Office and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) should jointly conduct free seminars and training programs for tricycle drivers nationwide.

“What we need is motorist awareness on safe driving practices that avoid injury to tricycles, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians,” the solon stressed.

Vargas is urging LTO to develop and implement a nationwide tricycle drivers safety program in coordination with tricycle regulation offices of local government units (LGUs).

The bill also proposed that every LGU in-charge of regulating the tricycle sector in their jurisdiction shall ensure that tricycle drivers will undergo Tricycle Drivers Safety Program free of charge.

-News Release 17 September 17