Alarming figures on road safety were unveiled by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday, as it reported a sharp rise in traffic-related deaths nationwide and launched a new five-year action plan to curb fatalities in Metro Manila.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the MMDA said road traffic deaths in the country rose by 39 percent — from 7,938 in 2011 to 11,096 in 2021. Young Filipinos aged 15 to 29 remain the most vulnerable, with road crashes being the leading cause of death for this age group.

In Metro Manila, EDSA topped the list of crash-prone thoroughfares in 2024 with 8,873 recorded incidents, followed closely by C-5 Road (8,675 cases) and Commonwealth Avenue (5,091 cases).

Motorcycle-related collisions accounted for the majority of road crash fatalities, with truck-to-motorcycle crashes resulting in 62 deaths and car-to-motorcycle collisions causing 55 deaths. Truck-to-pedestrian incidents had the highest fatality rate at 15.53 percent.

“This data reinforces the urgent need to focus on motorcycle safety, pedestrian protection, and the enforcement of traffic laws,” the MMDA said.

To address the growing crisis, the MMDA highlighted several key initiatives, including the Motorcycle Riding Academy, which trained over 3,200 riders in early 2025, and the Children’s Road Safety Park, which attracted more than 43,000 visitors this year.

The agency also maintains 521 signalized intersections, installs over 1,200 traffic signs, and applies nearly 10,000 square meters of road markings annually. In addition, more than 8,200 solar-powered LED streetlights have been deployed along major roads to improve nighttime visibility.

Thursday’s summit also marked the rollout of the Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan (MMRSAP) 2024–2028, developed with technical assistance from the World Health Organization. Aligned with the Department of Transportation’s national strategy, the plan aims to reduce road fatalities in the capital region by 35 percent by 2028.

The MMDA said the MMRSAP serves as a comprehensive roadmap anchored on five key pillars of road safety, stressing that success will depend on collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, and the public.