TWO lawmakers sought the approval of a measure that aims to strengthen the driver’s education program through the establishment of Driver’s Education Centers and accreditation of driving schools.

In filing House Bill 7898, Abono Partylist Rep. Conrado Estrella III and Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento said that road safety programs implemented by the Land Transportation Office are not enough to solve road safety issues.

“Road crashes, worldwide, cause 20-50 million injuries, some leading to permanent disability. Around 1.3 million people die from those road crashes annually and half of these deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle users,” the lawmakers said in their explanatory note.

Road crashes rank first as the cause of death and is more prevalent among children and young adults aged 5-29.

The lawmakers said that the cost of road crashes is far from negligible —  P105.7 billion annually.

House Bill 7898 mandates the State to accredit driver’s education institutions and establish Driver’s Education Centers across the country to educate drivers and inculcate the basic principles of road safety.

Under the measure, all drivers shall undergo Comprehensive Driver’s Education Course prior to the renewal of their licenses which shall have a validity of five years.

The Land Transportation Office will also require a mandatory continuing technical education for driving instructors prior to the renewal of their accreditation.