Idis Urges Safer Streets for Pedestrians in Davao City

A DAVAO City-based environmental group is calling on drivers to slow down and urging the City Government of Davao to take decisive action to make streets safer for pedestrians. This follows several incidents of pedestrians being hit while crossing roads.

On June 4, 2025, the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) stressed that drivers must slow down, yield, and stop for people crossing the street. They emphasized that whether drivers are in a hurry or not, the few seconds saved by speeding are not worth risking a pedestrian’s life.

Idis urged the local government and traffic enforcement agencies to strengthen the implementation of traffic laws, especially at pedestrian crossings. They recommended clearer signage, repainting worn-out lanes, better street lighting, and traffic-calming infrastructure in areas with heavy foot traffic.

The group also called for consistent penalties for violators to promote road discipline, not just in response to accidents, but as a proactive safety measure.

“Pedestrians are not obstacles. They are people. They are constituents, your neighbors, your loved ones. Their safety must be non-negotiable. Let Davao City set an example. Not just a growing metropolis, but as a city that values life over speed, safety over convenience, and people over vehicles,” Idis said. 

They also urged government officials and urban planners to prioritize walkability and pedestrian safety in all road design and infrastructure projects. A sustainable city, they said, is one where children can walk to school and where persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens can move safely and easily, regardless of their mode of transportation.

In 2024, Idis conducted a Citizen Walkability Study, where citizen scientists used the Pedestrian First Toolkit to assess pedestrian safety and comfort in Davao City. The study found that many pedestrian crossings remain unsafe due to parked or moving vehicles, poor visibility, and a lack of active enforcement.

Nine crossings were reported to have unclear or faded signage and markings. Only 47 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: “Cars approach the intersection slowly enough for an elderly person or young child to feel safe crossing the street.” This indicates that the majority of pedestrians feel unsafe. Additionally, about 68 percent of respondents observed that drivers frequently exceed speed limits, underscoring the need for traffic-calming measures and stricter enforcement.

While Davao City is known for its orderliness and discipline, Idis emphasized that strict law enforcement must be paired with a cultural shift among road users. Respecting pedestrian lanes, they added, should not be seen as a burden on motorists but as a shared responsibility to keep the community safe.

Just days before Idis released its statement, a senior citizen was struck by a vehicle at around 3 p.m. on June 2, 2025, along the Daang Maharlika Highway in Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr., Davao City. RGP