ILOILO – From January 1 to October 31, 2024 this province recorded 3,011 vehicular accidents, resulting in 123 fatalities, data from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) showed.
The accidents also caused 1,226 injuries and damage to property in 1,662 cases.
The primary causes of these accidents were identified as reckless driving (2,230 cases), driver error (683), drunk driving (78), and mechanical issues (20).
A monthly breakdown of incidents showed May had the highest number with 367 accidents, while July recorded the lowest at 232.
The rise in vehicular accidents has prompted the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) Committee on Infrastructure to call for urgent measures to address road safety.
“Road traffic injuries are a major yet often neglected public health issue. Deaths and injuries from road crashes are preventable, and all sectors have roles to play in promoting road safety,” said committee chair Provincial Board member Roland Distura who is also a member of the SP’s Committee on Health.
Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Distura noted that over 1.3 million people die in road traffic crashes worldwide annually, with road crashes being the eighth leading cause of death globally and the leading cause of death for children and young adults.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) ranks road traffic accidents as a leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reporting 12,000 deaths in 2022 alone.
Several factors contribute to road accidents in Iloilo, according to Distura, including poor road conditions, reckless driving, and risky behaviors like driving under the influence of alcohol or using mobile phones while driving.
The following are being pushed to improve road safety in Iloilo:
* review road infrastructure design and ensure safety elements such as proper lane width and signals
* address hazards like dangling live wires, which can cause traffic disruptions and pose safety risks
* strengthen traffic law enforcement by training and deputizing enforcers
* conduct road safety audits and summits to identify and address high-risk areas
* enhance public awareness campaigns on safe driving practices
* install adequate street lighting and warning signs to prevent night-time accidents/PN
