Making safety a priority, especially in motorcycles

Riding a motorcycle is undeniably risky, especially if you don't have all the required safety gear while traveling. Lacking such protection that a four-wheeler provide — seat belts, airbags, safety cage, and crumple zone — leaves the rider more exposed to injury and increases the risk of fatal accidents. In fact, motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to lose their lives in a crash compared to other motorists on the road, according to the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Honda, one of the world's most successful motorcycle manufacturers, has safety ingrained in its 75-year history. In fact, Honda's safety initiatives began as early as the 1960s with its safe driving promotion activities, the first of their kind among motorcycle and even automobile manufacturers.

Honda's safety initiatives have now expanded to include all road users — e.g., drivers, pedestrians especially children and the elderly — and are being actively promoted not only in Japan but also in other countries and regions around the world.

In April 2021, Honda announced its goal of reducing the number of traffic fatalities caused by its automobiles and motorcycles worldwide by 50 percent. This is in line with its goal of achieving zero-traffic collision fatalities involving Honda vehicles worldwide by 2050. Here in the Philippines, the company established The Honda Safety Driving Center in 2008, a world-class training facility located in Bicutan, Parañaque City. The school was also first in implementing training programs for automobiles and trucks.

Obvious choice

So it's no wonder that when the Pasig City was looking  for an organization that it could partner with, Honda Foundation Inc. was an obvious choice. The HFI is the corporate social responsibility arm of Honda companies in the Philippines, comprising of Honda Philippines Inc. (manufacturer/distributor of motorcycles and power products), Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (automobile products), Honda Parts Manufacturing, Inc. (manufacturer/exporter) and Honda Trading Philippines Ecozone Corporation (storage/ warehousing).

The Road Safety Summit is HFI's and the local government unit of Pasig's first-ever collaboration which aims to develop a road safety mindset. It will also serve as a tool for riding and driving proficiency among road users, and the protection and welfare of society through the partnership with a local government unit.

Seiji Fujimoto, HFI president and concurrent president of Honda Parts Manufacturing Corp., emphasized the importance of collaboration between the private sector and the government in mitigating the rising number of traffic-related road crash. "As a mobility company with diverse products and services, Honda wants to move people physically and their hearts through the value that Honda provides."

Fujimoto was joined by the HFI Board of Trustees headed by Honda Philippines, Inc. president Sayaka Arai-Hattori, and Honda Trading Philippines Ecozone, Corp. president Masanao Shikanai.

Road safety mindset

Pasig was represented by Rep. Roman Romulo who expressed appreciation and support to HFI's advocacies especially its program of instilling a Road Safety mindset to every Pasigeños, with the utmost goal of protecting the lives of people in the community.

Held in the Pasig Rainforest Park on Francisco Legaspi Street, the RSS was a whole-day event that provided practical road safety know-how to the community in an easy to understand and enjoyable learning approach. The event showcased for the first time, not only Honda motorcycles but a display vehicle of the latest Honda automobile with its safety and innovative technology, as well as its power products model lineup such as portable generator, tools for agriculture needs, .

The fun-filled learning experience was participated in by more than 500 road users comprising of motorcycle and automobile enthusiasts such as the riders' clubs, LGU employees, tricycle operators and drivers association members, traffic enforcers, students, and even families visiting the Pasig Rainforest Park that day.

It was reminiscent of what Honda did in 2019, when its team conducted Safety Riding Promotions within the vicinity of the Pasig City Hall, focusing on motorcycle riders. It was a successful event participated in by riders, employees of the Office of the Mayor, selected Honda dealer partners, among others. Various activities were held like the "Test Ride and Learn to Ride," vehicle safety features presentation, safety seminar, and product display.

Arai-Hattori added that HFI is committed to continuously be the driver of road safety for every family.

HFI was established and registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization on 23 December 1992. Since then, HFI has been advocating for the protection of the environment, supporting the youth, addressing community needs and promoting traffic safety.

Honda will aspire to become "a company that society wants to exist," and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, by serving people worldwide with the joy of expanding the their life potential through Honda's social contribution initiatives.

HFI's advocacy of "Road Safety Program for our Family," undertaken through the Honda Safety Driving Center-1 Honda Road Safety program, is aligned with Honda's global safety driving "Safety for Everyone" campaign.

In the area of technology, Honda has pioneered several new technologies across the world, based on the concepts of "setting higher targets exceeding regulatory requirements" and "if it does not exist, we will make it." In addition to these initiatives by individual Honda companies, Honda is also actively collaborating with governments, local communities, and individual companies to improve the road environment and uphold safety for road users.

For more details about HFI, contact landline number (02)-8581-6700 to 6799 or mobile number 0917-578-8723.