Photo from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
MANILA, Philippines — Around 57,179 road crashes have been recorded this year, or an average rate of 156.65 cases daily, according to the data of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
While the MMDA has yet to release its full 2022 report, its 2021 data recorded the highest number of vehicular accidents in Metro Manila in December and a total of 58,447 cases for that year.
To prevent a similarly high number of crashes, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Jose Arturo Tugade reminded the public to maintain their discipline on the road during the holiday season to prevent crashes and injuries especially with the relaxed pandemic restrictions.
“It’s been two years since the pandemic, where we failed to celebrate the joys of the season by going to parties. Now that more people can again move to and from parties, it is still important to observe road safety when we travel, not only for ourselves but also for other road users,” he said.
Minimal casualties
Tugade said he wanted to achieve “minimal” casualties on the road this Christmas season as part of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan of the Department of Transportation.
“After two years of missing parties during the Yuletide season, there’s nothing better than to travel in the safest way possible to celebrate Christmas safely with our families and friends. Road crash incidents can be prevented so let’s all travel safely and be happy,” he said.
The LTO on Monday cited the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System report that shows the daily average of crashes this year was lower than last year’s 160.12.
The vehicles involved in the accidents included bicycles, motorcycles, cars, public utility jeepneys, buses, taxis, vans, trucks and trains.
Drunk driving
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it would assist the MMDA and LTO in going after drunk drivers amid the Christmas celebration.
“The PNP is maximizing efforts to further reduce Public Safety Indicators of Total Crime Incidents by initiating measures to reduce vehicular accidents that may result in homicide, physical injury, and damage to property,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement.