John M. Hyland Institute of Learning, Inc.

Sudtunggan Road, Basak Lapu-Lapu City

Improving Road Safety Awareness in

Baranggay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City

Gilig, Fernando Jose V.

Lumongsod, Ed Jennelle A.
Nolasco, Benjamin B. Jr.
Pusa, Jonh Clifford A.
Sato, Jhonrie B.

Grade 12-General Academic Strand

John M. Hyland Institute of Learning INC.

Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion
and Research Project

Sanoy, Keinth Archie A.

Celestian, Jaykee Rose
 Chapter I
Introduction

Road safety is a critical concern worldwide, impacting public health, economic

productivity, and overall quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO)

consistently highlights road traffic injuries as a leading cause of death and disability

globally. Effective road safety strategies require a multi-faceted approach,

encompassing infrastructure improvements, robust enforcement of traffic laws, and

comprehensive public awareness campaigns. These strategies must be tailored to the

specific context of each community, considering factors such as population density,

traffic volume, and existing infrastructure.

Background of the Study

Road safety is a critical global concern, impacting public health, economic

productivity, and overall societal well-being. Developing nations, particularly those

experiencing rapid urbanization like the Philippines, face significant challenges in

managing increasing traffic volumes and ensuring safe road environments. The

consequences of inadequate road safety measures are often severe, leading to a high

incidence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) resulting in injuries, fatalities, and substantial

economic losses. Effective road safety strategies require a multi-faceted approach,

addressing infrastructure, enforcement, and public awareness.

Barangay Basak, located in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, exemplifies the challenges

faced by many rapidly growing urban communities in the Philippines. The barangay's

increasing population density, coupled with a rise in motor vehicle ownership, has led to
a noticeable increase in traffic congestion and the associated risks of RTAs. This

necessitates a comprehensive investigation into the specific road safety issues

prevalent in Barangay Basak to inform the development of targeted interventions.

Understanding the unique context of this barangay is crucial for the design and

implementation of effective solutions.

This research project, therefore, aims to thoroughly examine the current state of

road safety in Barangay Basak, identify the primary contributing factors to RTAs, and

propose evidence-based interventions to mitigate these risks. The study will employ a

mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data collection through surveys and

observations with qualitative data gathered through interviews with key stakeholders.

The ultimate goal is to develop practical and sustainable solutions that enhance road

safety for all road users within Barangay Basak, contributing to a safer and more livable

community.

Statement of the Problem

This research project seeks to answer the following key questions:

1. What are the primary causes of RTAs in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City,

Cebu?

2. What is the current condition of road infrastructure and safety measures within
the barangay?
3. What is the level of public awareness and understanding of road safety rules
among residents?
4. How effective is the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations in Barangay
Basak?
 5. What practical and effective interventions can be implemented to significantly
improve road safety?

Research Objectives

The study wants to identify how to Improve Road Safety Awareness in Baranggay

Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

The study has the following objectives:

1. To assess the current road safety situation in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City,

Cebu, including an analysis of road accident data, infrastructure conditions, and

enforcement practices.

2. To identify key factors contributing to road accidents in Barangay Basak, such as

driver behavior, road design flaws, and pedestrian safety issues.

3. To develop evidence-based interventions aimed at improving road safety in

Barangay Basak, addressing identified challenges and leveraging opportunities

for enhancement.

Hypotheses of the Study

Null Hypothesis (H0): There is no significant improvement in road safety in

Barangay Basak following the implementation of targeted interventions.

Alternative Hypothesis (H1): There is a significant improvement in road safety in

Barangay Basak following the implementation of targeted interventions.

Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be beneficial to the following:

 Residents: A safer road environment means residents can move about freely

without fear of accidents. This improves their quality of life, allowing them to access

essential services, participate in community activities, and enjoy their daily lives without

undue risk and raising awareness of road safety issues and promoting safer practices.

Children: Children are particularly vulnerable on the roads, and a lack of

awareness can lead to tragic accidents. A comprehensive road safety awareness

program can teach children about pedestrian safety, traffic rules, and how to be

responsible road users, protecting them from harm.

Senior Citizens: Senior citizens are also at increased risk of accidents due to

factors like age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. A program tailored

to their needs can empower them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the roads

safely.

Drivers: A program that promotes safey driving practices can benefit drivers by

reducing their risk of accidents and injuries. It can also help them understand the

importance of following traffic rules and regulations, leading to a more harmonious and

predictable road environment.

Barangay Basak officials: Informing the development of effective and targeted

road safety policies and programs.

Lapu-Lapu City government: Guiding broader road safety initiatives across the

city.

Law enforcement agencies: Enhancing the effectiveness of traffic law

enforcement strategies
 Future researcher: This study will serve as a valuable reference for future

researchers and investigate the long-term effectiveness of the program, exploring how

knowledge and behaviors change over time.

Definition of Terms

 Valuable a thing that is of great worth, especially a small item of personal

property.

 Harmonious forming a pleasing or consistent whole.

 Navigate to sail over, on, or through.

 Vulnerable susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

 Essential absolutely necessary extremely important.

 Tailored of clothes smart, fitted, and well cut.

 Inadequate lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose.

 Comprehensive complete including all or nearly all elements or aspects of

something.
 Chapter ll

Review of Related Literature

Existing research on road safety emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted

approach, encompassing education, enforcement, and engineering. Studies have

shown that effective road safety campaigns combine educational programs with

enforcement measures, such as random breath testing and speed cameras. The

effectiveness of road safety campaigns is often enhanced when combined with other

measures, such as legislation and road safety education. Furthermore, research

highlights the need for a comprehensive evaluation of road safety initiatives to identify

the most effective techniques and ensure sustained improvements in road awareness

and safety.

Road safety or road traffic safety awareness refers to the information that can

help the users of road from being killed or seriously injured in an accident. Road users

include. Pedestrians, Motorists, cyclist, vehicle passengers and passengers of public

transport.

The world report on road traffic injury prevention calls for governments to take

road safety a political priority, and highlights recommendations with regard to policy,

legislation and enforcement, and development of institutional capacity to improve road

safety [ Peden et al.,2004].

 In 2002 Kostyniuk et al., has analyzed 34,224 car crashes and! 10,732 fatal car-

truck crashes in which they analyzed main causes behind these accidents. The study

concluded that apart from other causes following human factors were responsible for

accident: Failing to keep lane, Failing to yield right of way, Driving in excess of speed,

Inattentiveness, Car following too close was more likely found among male drivers

According to the WHO report in 2018, the annual number of road traffic deaths

fell slightly to 1.19 million per year. Yet with more than 2 deaths occurring per minute

and over 3200 per day, road traffic crashes remain the leading cause of mortality

among children and youth aged 5–29 years. Pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable

road users are facing an acute and rising risk of death.

In the Philippines, an increasing trend of road traffic deaths was seen in the past

decade, with road traffic deaths increasing by 39% from 7,938 deaths in 2011 to 11,096

deaths based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Report in 2021. According to

this report, at least 84% of road traffic deaths are among males. Road traffic injuries are

also a major cause of mortality among children. Motorcyclists, pedestrians, and

bicyclists are among those considered vulnerable road users. Road traffic injuries are

estimated to cost about 2.6% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Poor data governance on road crashes continues to be one of the major

challenges in addressing road safety in the Philippines. The number of road traffic

deaths may even be underestimated due to underreporting, with only 10% of road

crashes being reported. For example, the Philippines Department of Public Works and

Highways reported 1513 road traffic deaths in 2013 capturing only 6.9% of the
estimated number of 10 379 road traffic deaths reported by WHO in the same year.

( Caleda, et.al 2018)

Road traffic injuries were the second leading cause of death due to injury in 2003

in the Philippines. In 2011, the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) was

instituted. Five years into the program, latest data showed that the death rate due to

road injuries continue to increase despite the presence of key legislation supporting

road safety. This study was aimed at identifying the gaps in addressing road safety in

the Philippines. (Revira,et al. 2018)

Roadway Factors, including roadway and roadside design elements, play an

important role in determining the risk of traffic accidents. Negative road engineering

factors include those where a road defect directly triggers a crash, where some element

of the road environment misleads a road user and thereby creates human errors. In

particular, the geometry of the road influences both the frequency and severity of road

crashes. In this regard, concepts such as the “Forgiving Road Side Design” and the

“Positive Guidance” approach need to be integrated into the engineering design of

roads to minimize the risk of road accidents. Tools such as the International Road

Assessment Program (iRAP)’s road safety audits (“Star Rating” reports) can help

countries to identify the risk factors in road design. (Ishtiaque Ahmed 2013)

Road safety is still one of the major issues worldwide, given that annually

approximately 1.3 million people die in road crashes, with an additional 20 to 50 million

people injured [1]. In general, the state of road safety is considered to be the result of

the interaction between three main factors: human, vehicle, and road. Given the

propensity for error, humans have long been considered a major perpetrator of road
crashes, although external factors typically contribute to human error. Roadway

characteristics, as well as the vehicles themselves, can provoke human error and thus

be primary causes of crashes. Accordingly, current road safety strategies (such as the

Safe System Approach) clearly differentiate factors that cause road crashes—human,

environmental, vehicle-related, etc. and focus on a more holistic approach for resolving

the problem. This kind of approach is aimed at taking actions that improve the roads

and their environments, vehicle safety systems, law enforcement, and the behavior of

road users. There are many ways to influence road users and human behavior, such as

safe driving training, public campaigns, and additional education in schools, i.e., road

safety education [2]. Furthermore, the effects are improved when several preventive

measures are combined [3]. (Babic,2022)

In the United States, road safety is also a pressing public health concern. In

2019, the population‐based motor vehicle crash death rate in the United States (11.1

per 100,000 population) was the highest among 29 high‐income countries. 7 Unlike

almost every other high‐income country which experienced a dramatic reduction in

crashes during the pandemic, the United States experienced consecutive years of crash

death increases in 2020 and 2021 despite reductions in the amount of driving due to the

COVID‐19 pandemic. In 2021, an estimated 42,915 people died in crashes on US

roads. (Ehsani,et.al. 2023)

 Chapter III
Research Design and Methodology

The chapter reveals the research methods that will be used by the researcher to

carry out the study, which includes the research design, the subject of the study, locale

of the study, sampling procedure, research instrument, data gathering procedure,

statistical statement.

Research Design

This study will employ a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative

and qualitative approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of road safety

issues in Barangay Basak.

Quantitative data will be collected through surveys and observational studies to

assess the frequency and types of accidents, infrastructure conditions, and traffic

patterns.

Qualitative data will be gathered through semi-structured interviews with key

stakeholders, including barangay officials, residents, law enforcement personnel, and

transportation operators, to explore perceptions, experiences, and potential solutions.

The Subject of the Study

The subject of this study is the current state of road safety and the contributing

factors to road traffic accidents in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. This

includes an examination of road infrastructure, traffic management practices, public

awareness of road safety rules, and enforcement of traffic laws.

Locale of the Study

The study will be conducted in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu,

Philippines. This specific locale was chosen due to its observed high incidence of road

traffic accidents and the potential for implementing targeted interventions.

Sampling Procedure

Stratified random sampling will be used to ensure representation from different

areas within Barangay Basak. The barangay will be divided into strata based on

geographic location, road accident data, infrastructure conditions, and enforcement

practice, driver behavior, road design flaws and pedestrian safety issues. A random

sample will then be selected from each stratum, proportionate to its size. The sample

size will be determined using power analysis to ensure sufficient statistical power.