MMDA, the sleep health organization is launching a campaign to drive sleep before the holidays
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM) on Wednesday launched an awareness campaign to prevent accidents related to drowsy driving ahead of the holiday festivities.
The campaign, called “Tabi Muna,” will include a series of advertisements highlighting the importance of sleep and encouraging drivers to pull over safely if they fall asleep.
The campaign will be officially screened at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on December 18 and 19. You will also be featured on YouTube.
The MMDA expressed its support and appreciation for allowing the agency to host the PSSM-led campaign, given its timely importance.
“Usually, the main cause of traffic is accidents. Cars that collide with each other, and many of them are recorded due to drowsy drivers,” said MMDA vice chairman Frisco S. San Juan Jr. during the launch event.
PSSM said that although there is no updated data on driving incidents in this country, an international report shows that 30% of road accidents associated with driver sleeplessness are caused by poor sleep.
In a separate report, the agency said recent research shows the Philippines is “the most sleep-deprived country” in Southeast Asia, indicating a call for better awareness of the dangers of drowsy driving and changing driver behavior, PSSM said.
The Tabi Muna campaign is also supported by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and private sector partners Uratex Philippines, Philips Respironics, and Petron Philippines.
Due to the bus accident that happened last May at the Tarlac City Toll Plaza in SCTEX, PSSM president Dr. Jimmy V. Chang. This accident claimed the lives of ten people and injured 37.
“Naisip namin na maganda na mazawa tayo ng (We thought it would be good for us to do) a trade that we can show the public to get better access and awareness,” said Mr. Chang in an interview on the sidelines of the launch event.
He also said that the lack of recent data on drunk driving incidents shows a wide gap in public awareness, as road accidents are often associated with alcohol or drugs.
The agency plans to work with DOTr and MMDA to compile traffic accident data and train workers to better identify accidents related to drowsy driving.
In the community, Dr. Chang called for a change in public attitudes toward sleep deprivation, warning against viewing sleeplessness as a “badge of honor.”
He said poor sleep can lead to various health conditions including high blood pressure and sleep disorders.
PSSM is a professional association of physicians focused on sleep medicine, research, and public health advocacy. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
