Philippines reports rising road crash deaths among children

MANILA, Philippines — The increase in road crash deaths among children and young people is alarming, according to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. Speaking at the 2025 Philippine Road Safety Summit, he called the situation a public health crisis and a human rights issue. Herbosa highlighted the findings of his study, which analyzed ten years of road crash data in the Philippines. He reported a 25.6 percent annual increase in road accidents, with 72 percent of the victims being male. Young children and adults are the most affected groups. The World Health Organization has flagged road traffic injuries as the leading cause of death for those aged 5 to 29. Herbosa noted that organizations like UNICEF have raised concerns about the rising number of young victims, including those as young as five, suffering serious injuries or dying. Most accidents occur at night, with drunk driving linked to many injuries. In 2022, there were 12,241 recorded road crash deaths, resulting in a death rate of 11 per 100,000 people. Herbosa stated that this rate is unacceptable and emphasized the need for more action to change it. He stressed the importance of prioritizing children's safety on the roads. “Safe roads allow our children to go to school, play, and access healthcare without fear,” he said. Herbosa also mentioned that the Department of Health (DOH) has made road safety one of its main health priorities. Their approach includes working with various agencies and local governments to implement road safety policies. He concluded by affirming that road crashes are preventable, emphasizing that every life saved demonstrates the power of combined efforts and effective strategies.