FILE PHOTO: A crew from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, aided by barangay and City Hall personnel, clean up the site of an accident on C5 Road in Quezon City on Wednesday morning, August 21, 2024, that left 15 people injured. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The number of road accidents reached 418 since December 22, with 68 additional cases recorded in the last 24 hours, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Sunday.
The DOH said the current tally is 38 percent higher than the logged road-related incidents in the same period last year, and urged motorists to be extra careful on the road.
It noted that the road accidents mostly involved motorcycles (290) and drunk driving (70), while 356 of the sum 418 were found to have not used any protective gear.
READ: DOH: 66 accidents in less than 24 hours
The DOH reminded motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets.
“‘Malayo man o malapit ang pupuntahan, isuot ang tamang helmet kung magmomotor, pasahero ka man o magmamaneho,” the health department said in a statement Sunday.
(Whether your destination is near or far, wear your helmet even if you are the driver or passenger.)
READ: DOH reminds of safe travel practices during holidays
The DOH also reiterated the following:
- Avoid driving when tired or drunk because it can affect coordination, concentration, and quick response to road situations
- Exercise wearing helmets for motorcycles and seat belts for cars
- Follow the speed limit set and road signs to ensure safe travel and avoid accidents
- Ensure having seven to eight hours of sleep before traveling to stay alert in driving
- Avoid using phones and other distractions when driving
- Immediately call 911 or 1555 DOH hotlines in case of emergency
The road traffic incidents were from December 22 to 6 a.m. on December 29 and gathered from eight pilot sites monitored by the DOH.