Iloilo City roads among PH’s deadliest

ILOILO CITY – The city’s roads are turning to be one of the country’s deadliest following another fatal crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers early this month.

Charles Vincent Hernia, 15, and Gerald Evaresto, 17, were the latest fatalities in a string of road accidents in the city.

They were killed early this month when a 10-wheel truck hit the motorcycle they were riding in the village of Bito-on in Jaro District.

Theirs and the deaths of many others due to accidents prompted the provincial government to take steps to improve road safety.

Government agencies have identified human error – reckless driving, ignorance of traffic rules and regulations and driving under the influence of alcohol – as main causes of the accidents.

From January to July this year, police recorded 2,095 accidents. Seventy of the cases were fatal while 1,156 led to injuries.

For the first half of 2015, 3,074 road accidents were recorded.

A road safety summit, however, also identified poor road conditions, lack of street lights and road signs or warnings as among the leading causes of accidents.

In a memorandum of agreement, various agencies and offices have created a Road Safety Task Force to improve safety on the roads.

The task force is composed of the Iloilo provincial government, Land Transportation Office, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Iloilo Provincial Police Office and Regional Highway Patrol Group.

The installation of road signs, especially those warning of ongoing road repairs and projects, would be monitored and ensured by the DPWH.

The agency will also conduct an annual inventory of road signs, according to the agreement.

Tony Evidente, a transport service operator, said training and education of drivers are also key measures that could reduce road accidents.