Safer transportation, please

We support the move of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to suspend a fleet of 10 Ceres buses, including the one that figured in a deadly accident in Badian town, southwestern Cebu Monday.

We also support the suspension of the license of the driver for up to 90 days pending investigation that could result in his being permanently banned from driving.

The driver Erwin Gerson,  lost his wife Marlyn and their only daughter Geralyn, 5, when their  bus  crashed into a steel post and fell on  its right side.

The lives of passengers are in the hands of every  public utility driver who has a contract to bring them safetly to their destination.
Drivers who take the role lightly,  for example by  drinking alcohol more than they can handle before  duty time at the wheel, must face the consequences.

During the holidays, when people are rushing about and the stress factor goes up, this is the period where extra vigilance is needed by both drivers and commuters.

It’s irresponsible to drink and then occupy the road with  potential killing machines that barrel down at faster than normal speeds.

At least 30 people were injured, some of them seriously, in the recent accident along the national highway in the border of Badian and Alegria towns.
There were initial reports that Gerson and his wife were quarreling during the ride.  The mishap took place as the vehicle was heading downhill, its speed  magnified by the trajectory, until the bus turned a sharp curve and hit a steel post.

A day after the accident, none of the victims have expressed an interest to file a complaint.

Part of that could be sympathy for Gerson, who lost his family in the blink of an eye.

Another reason is the bus company’s initiative to cover all medical and funeral expenses, an obligation that comes with an underlying condition that this settles any claim afterward against the management.

Gerson’s last few beers before the drive will be marked heavily against him, as he tested positive for liquor intake.  It hasn’t been established yet if he drank enough to be drunk though.

The investigation should also look into possible brake failure, which points to vehicle maintenance, which is required for safe travel.