The Cordillera office of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG-CAR) will conduct the ‘blue hearts’ campaign to enhance road safety among motorists plying the different roads in the region and prevent vehicular accidents from happening that will compromise the safety of the public and all road users.
HPG-CAR regional director Police Lt. Col. Kimberly Molitas stated during the interview at RPN DZBS Baguio, that the ‘blue hearts’ campaign in Ecuador was successful in minimizing the occurrence of road crashes and had been instrumental in empowering motorists to adhere to road safety in traversing various roads in the said country and considering that the situation in the Cordillera is quite similar to the road situation in the said country, it is also important to replicate the same to empower road safety awareness among motorists.
Under the ‘blue hearts’ campaign, a ‘blue heart’ will be installed in accident-prone areas along roads to serve as a reminder to motorists that accidents happened in the said area and that motorists should take extra precaution when passing through the said areas. For every accident, a blue heart will be installed in the said portion of the road.
Upon approaching portions of roads where the ‘blue hearts’ are installed, Molitas explained that motorists will be reminded that the same is an accident-prone area where they must have to observe extra precaution and for them to continue adhering to road safety practices that will help in intensifying the HPG-CAR’s information education campaign on road safety awareness.
She admitted that although it will be quite difficult to pursue the aforesaid program, the HPH-CAR will pursue this to help in significantly reducing vehicular accidents that cause the eventual loss of lives and inflict damages to properties as awareness on road safety should increase among motorists plying the peculiar terrain of the region.
“Driving motor vehicles goes with utmost responsibility for the driver, passenger, their families and the communities where the vehicles pass through, thus, road safety awareness must be ingrained on all road users to prevent accidents.” She said.
She assured local officials in the region that the HPG-CAR will step up their presence along major road networks, being the guardians of the highways, to ensure that motorists will adhere to the laws, rules and regulations governing motor vehicle ownership, among other related matters.
Molitas asserted that motorists should not consider them as enemies on the road but they should instead be grateful that HPG personnel are present to remind them on the need to adhere to road safety for the benefit of both motorists, pedestrians and the communities where they traverse.
(Dex See | Joseph Manzano, RPN DZBS Baguio OIC)
