NLEX Reiterates Call for Regular Check-up of Vehicles for Safety

Following the road crash incident that led to loss of lives and massive injuries on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) last week, the NLEX Corporation on Tuesday reiterated its call for vehicle owners to regularly check their vehicle before going on trips to ensure their safety on the road.

Over the weekend, a vehicle suffered from a blown tire in Candaba Viaduct in Apalit, Pampanga, causing the driver to lose control of his vehicle which resulted in a road crash.

NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista said that while the company "firmly enforces traffic laws and has measures to maintain the road's safe condition," drivers must check their vehicles before going on the road, especially those who would be traversing high-speed highways.

"We are again appealing to our motorists to practice road safety by making sure that their vehicles are in good condition before traveling, as well as by checking themselves if they are physically or emotionally fit to drive," Bautista said, adding that "prevention is still the best solution in avoiding untoward incidents."

He also said that the NLEX Corporation's road safety advocacy also includes ensuring that quick response times are being observed to assure safety on all fronts.

"Quick response time is also imperative for the company whenever incidents happen in our expressways. In the recent mishap, NLEX patrol and emergency medical teams rushed to the scene within minutes to help those involved in the accident and ensure the safety of motorists passing the area," Bautista explained.

"Upon assessing the situation, our traffic teams set up the counterflow lane to ease the traffic congestion caused by the accident," he added.

Further, he also mentioned the road safety campaigns they have during the peak travel seasons such as the Holy Week, All Souls Day, Christmas, and long weekends.

The management has been implementing the 'Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko' motorist assistance program in partnership with various stakeholders. Operations on NLEX and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) are buffered with the deployment additional patrols and tellers and providing first aid and medical services at strategic points of the expressways.

Apart from that, the NLEX Corporation also conducts road safety programs intended for various stakeholders such as 'Usapang Driver' (a forum aimed at orienting drivers from bus and trucking companies on safe expressway driving) and 'Kaligtasan sa Daan or KalSaDa' (a road safety education program for host communities to develop a habit of practicing road safety), as well as utilizing communication channels like NLEXPRESS, a monthly publication which features road safety tips and company projects, and social media to educate and strengthen the public's road safety awareness.