The need for a Transport Safety Investigation Group

The past month has been quite horrific for transport safety with several high-profile incidents making the news.

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Most have likely heard of the horrific accidents at SCTEX and NAIA terminal 1, both of which claimed multiple lives, with children sadly among those casualties.

Immediately following the accident, social media pored over the incidents, presenting their own theories over what caused the accidents. Some assigned blame to the drivers, some to the infrastructure. Yet regardless of what was blamed, can we really be sure addressing one or the other can prevent similar accidents in the future?

I’ve recently chatted with a very vocal road safety advocate over the recent events to get his opinion regarding the incidents. Atty. Robby Consunji, a Trustee and Chairperson of Government Liaison Committee of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) has been advocating for the creation of a Transport Safety Investigation Group.

Modeled after the American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), this group could serve as an independent government agency charged with investigating high-profile vehicular accidents in the country.