Business Bayani PH

The Philippine government is teaching young children about road safety through a fun and interactive way: a mini-traffic park.

This initiative, led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), features the Children’s Road Safety Park (CRSP). The CRSP is a scaled-down version of a real traffic environment, complete with child-sized roads, pedestrian crossings, traffic signs, and even miniature buildings. This playful setting allows children to learn and observe traffic rules in a safe and controlled environment.

“The CRSP was built to provide a venue for children to learn traffic laws and regulations and understand road safety in a safe place,” the MMDA said in a May 19 statement on its Facebook page.

This program complements the recently established National Coalition for Child Road Traffic Injury Prevention (NC-CRTIP). The NC-CRTIP is a nationwide effort led by the Department of Transportation (DoTR) in collaboration with other government agencies.

The coalition’s primary goal is to reduce the number of road accidents involving children, especially those who walk or bike to school. Statistics show a concerning number of these accidents happen at pedestrian crossings near schools.

Secretary Jaime Bautista, head of the DoTR, highlighted the importance of the coalition during the launch of the 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety in December last year. The DOTr signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Education, the Department of Health, and other agencies to formalize the NC-CRTIP.

By combining the hands-on learning offered by the CRSP with the collaborative efforts of the NC-CRTIP, the Philippines is taking steps to ensure the safety of its youngest citizens on the roads.Ⓒ

[Photos by Miralyn Sarmiento on Facebook]