Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN ACT MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF TIMERS IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS
AND PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Road safety is a critical aspect of modern society. The state has the mandate to protect the life
and well-being of both drivers and pedestrians. Towards this end, the state shall enact measures,
including the use of technologies, to improve and promote road safety.
According to the World Health Organization, every year, there are approximately 1.3 million
lives lost to road traffic crashes. Furthermore, between 20 and 50 million more people suffer
non-fatal injuries, with often result to lasting disabilities.1 In the Philippines, there is an
increasing trend in in-patient admissions due to traffic and vehicular car crashes.2 Given these
alarming numbers, it is imperative for the state to develop infrastructure and invest in innovative
technologies to maintain and improve road safety.
According to an Oregon study in 2017,
traffic signal countdown timers (TSCT) are cost
effective technologies that could improve efficiency and safety in the roads. Countdown timers
reducing delays in discharging queues and improve safety responses from motorists as they are
more likely to stop on time.3 Because drivers are more informed when the traffic light would
change, mistakes are reduced.4
With recent developments seeking to phase out countdown timers in traffic lights in all
intersections, concerns have been raised regarding the effects of removing timers to road safety.
Pedestrians and motorists have reported to prefer installation of timers in roads in order to
1 World Health Organization, Road traffic injuries (20 June 2022) at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-
sheets/detail/road-traffic-
injuries#:~:text=Every%20year%20the%20lives%20of,a%20result%20of%20their%20injury.
2 Jinky Leilanie Lu, MOH, PhD, Teodoro J. Herbosa, MD and Sophia Francesca Lu, MOS, Analysis of Transport and
Vehicular Crash Cases Using the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS) from 2010 to 2019,
at https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/download/3874/3097/
3 Traffic signal countdown timers lead to improved driver responses, Oregon State University (08 Nov 2017) at
https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/traffic-signal-countdown-timers-lead-improved-driver-responses
4 Traffic signal countdown timers lead to improved driver responses, Oregon State University (31 Oct 2017) at
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171031151242.htm
March 31, 2023
1:05 pm
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increase predictability and lessen surprises in the road.5
Countdown timers result to safer
responses from both motorists and pedestrians, as they are better informed regarding the timing
of the changes in the stoplights.
This bill aims to require the installation of countdown timers in all traffic and pedestrian lights in
all intersections across the country, both in rural and urban areas. The timers shall be designed to
display the time remaining until the traffic light changes, and will be situated clearly as to
improve visibility to drivers and pedestrians. To promote road safety that is truly safe for all
motorists and pedestrians, the passage of this bill is highly urged.
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato
5 Sensors to replace traffic light timers in Metro Manila, GMA News Online (05 Aug 2022)
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/840652/sensors-to-replace-traffic-light-timers-in-metro-
manila/story/


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN ACT MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF TIMERS IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS
AND PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Traffic Lights and Pedestrian
Lights Timer Act”.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the importance of efficient and
safe road networks in promoting economic growth, improving quality of life, and reducing traffic
congestion. It is the policy of the State to promote road safety and reduce traffic congestion
through the use of innovative technologies, including the installation of timers in traffic lights.
Section 3. Definition. – For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
(a) “Pedestrian Light” refers to a signal device that is used to inform pedestrians when to
cross a road;
(b) “Traffic Light” refers to any signal device used to control the flow of traffic at a road
intersection;
(c) “Timer” refers to a device that measures and displays the duration of a period of time.
Section 4. Installation of Timers in Traffic and Pedestrian Lights. — The Department of
Transportation shall require the installation of timers in all traffic and pedestrian lights in urban
and rural areas, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. The timers shall be designed
to display the time remaining until the traffic light changes, and shall be clearly visible to drivers
and pedestrians.
Section 5. Maintenance of Timers. — The Department of Public Works and Highways,
Department of Interior and Local Government, in coordination with Local Government Units,
shall ensure the maintenance and proper functioning of the timers in traffic lights, and shall take
appropriate action to address any malfunctions or failures.
Section 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Public Works and
Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Local Government Units, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Section 8. Repealing Clause. –Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provision of this Act is
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,