Road Safety Management of the Department of Public Works and Highways: Basis for Policy Recommendation

Abstract

The Road Safety Audit in the Department of Public Works and
Highways - Isabela First District Engineering Office is very important
to address the issue of the accident potential, road accidents and
most likely safety performance of the distinct plan for a road scheme,
whether for new construction, or a rehabilitation of existing road
and existing condition of road networks. The concept of road safety
management is that all highway schemes must operate as safe as
possible. This study looked into the extent of implementation of the
Road Safety Management and the extent of compliance to the policies
on road safety management along road networks of the Department
of Public Works and Highways-Isabela First District Engineering Office.
The study utilized the descriptive research design. The participants of
the study consisted of forty (40) participants. The researcher made use
of a questionnaire that was subjected to try-out and validation and data
gathered revealed that the DPWH-Isabela First District Engineering
Office complied to Department Order No. 41 Series of 2016 on the
maintenance of existing signages to a moderate extent. Awareness of
policies such as Department Orders for road safety is very important.
The implementing rules and regulations of these Department Orders for
Road Safety must be observed strictly prior for the implementation of
road safety management along the national roads of the Department
of Public Works and Highways. Road traffic injuries are preventable if
all necessary devices are considered during the planning stage. The
Implementing Rules and Regulations must be strictly enforced and
these rules must be widely disseminated and observed.