“Itong mga nangyayaring road crashes, they could really alter someone’s life,” said Roland Simbulan, husband of the U.P. professor/journalist who was killed in a bus-taxi collision on May 13, 2011.

It’s been almost a year since the untimely death of Lourdes “Chit” Estella Simbulan.

Speed limit has been implemented on major highways, including Commonwealth Avenue where Chit died instantly.

But the number of injuries from road crashes keep rising.

In an interview at Café Lupe in Antipolo City, last May 10, Roland told bloggers, “I wouldn’t call it an accident. Road crash is more accurate.

“Kasi, it can be prevented. Hindi lang iyan parating dahil sa driver. Minsan, mechanical ang reasons.”

He related an accident that happened in Antipolo last January.

“Alam niyo, yung mga biktima dun, they were just watching TV. Di sila lumalabas, nasa bahay lang sila, nawalan ng preno yung truck, bumangga sa kanila. These are people who are supposedly very healthy, then overnight, dahil diyan, mawawalan ng ano, mawawalan ng buhay.”

Roland has been involved in activities promoting road safety.

“Naimbitahan akong speaker noong February 22 sa isang national conference. Ang isang positive outcome, marami kasi akong na-meet na mga relatives ng mga victims or survivors…”

The following month, the Families of Road Victims and Survivors was organized.

He added, “’Tapos, ako yung ginawang convenor nila.”

The advocacy group, Roland said, aims to become the “support group of the families of road victims” and, at the same time, “enlighten the public” about the enforcement that needs to be done by the agencies.

RUN FOR CHIT. On the death anniversary of his wife, he will be joining the OneA Run For Road Safety in Antipolo City.

“Sa May 11 talaga yung Decade of Action for Road Safety [campaign of the United Nations], kaso, Friday yun, may pasok. Kaya ginawang May 13. Tamang-tama, yun yung araw na ano… ng road crash.”