17/07/2025
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Two years ago, two of our Senior High School students died from tragic motorcycle accidents. In just a snap, two maritime dreams were lost and two grieving families were left with just their precious memories. The two wheels bringing them happiness and transporting them to immeasurable distance ironically put a dot to their existence.
Road accidents, also known as motor-related accidents, occur when vehicles collide with each other, pedestrians or stationary objects at the road. These incidents can result in injuries, property damage, and death. They affect millions of lives each year and they remain one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. The consequences of road accidents go beyond physical harm as it causes emotional trauma and financial burdens on families.
The causes of road accidents can stem from human error, environmental factors, or mechanical failures. Reckless driving, speeding, and distracted driving like using mobile phones while driving are some of the identified leading factors. In the same way, driving under the influence of alcohol increases accident risks.
In some cases, poor road conditions like potholes, uneven surfaces, and lack of proper signage cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Mechanical failures like faulty brakes, worn tires, or poorly maintained vehicles and weather conditions like heavy rains, fog, or slippery roads can contribute to road accidents.
Lastly, non-compliance with traffic laws like ignoring traffic signals, not wearing helmets, and failure to use seat belts often lead to severe consequences.
The Philippines faces a significant challenge in regards to motor-related accidents. According to the data from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other agencies, over 12,000 fatalities occur yearly due to road traffic incidents. This places our country among the nations with the highest road traffic deaths in Southeast Asia.
In the 2022 Global Status Report on Road Safety by the World Health Organization (WHO), it indicates that motorcycle riders and pedestrians are the most vulnerable groups. In urban areas such as Metro Manila, collisions involving motorcycles account for more than 50% of recorded road accidents. Furthermore, the poor enforcement of traffic laws and the growing number of vehicles worsen the problem.
In Western Visayas and particularly in Iloilo, the statistics paint a similar picture. According to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), the region recorded over 5,000 road accidents in 2023. Iloilo City, being a bustling urban center, reported a significant portion of these incidents with motorcycles being the most involved vehicles.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) identified reckless driving and lack of adherence to traffic rules as the leading causes of these accidents in Iloilo. Additionally, many accidents occur in high-traffic areas like Diversion Road and other busy intersections, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement and improved road infrastructure.
Efforts to bolster road safety require collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the public. We can start by doing education and awareness campaigns such as conducting regular seminars and workshops on road safety, integrating road safety education into school curriculums and using social media to spread awareness about the consequences of reckless driving.
In the same way, law enforcement agencies should increase penalties for drunk driving, speeding, and not wearing helmets, deploy more traffic enforcers in accident-prone areas, and use technology such as CCTV cameras and speed radars to monitor and penalize violators.
On the infrastructure level, related government agencies should repair and maintain roads to ensure safer travel conditions, install clear road signs, pedestrian lanes, and proper lighting in critical areas and designate separate lanes for motorcycles and bicycles to reduce collisions.
For our motorists, they should promote safer vehicles by encouraging regular vehicle maintenance and adopt vehicles with advanced safety features.
Two lives might be statistically few. But, with Grim Reaper's sickle spurring accidents in unguarded situations, our adorned wheels might turn disobedient and may drop us to our deathbed. So, choose to drive safely wherever our motor wheels may lead us so our families can still see the smiles on our faces.
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