ILOILO – In a bid to curb fatal vehicular accidents, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) will be strictly enforcing the “no plate, no travel” policy, announced Police Colonel Roland Vilela, police provincial director. One hundred thirty-nine people died in road mishaps here last year, data from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) showed.
While the policy covers all kinds of vehicles, Vilela said policemen would be giving more attention to motorcycles.
Most of the vehicular accidents last year involved motorcycles, he explained.
“My order to all police chiefs is to check the driver’s license and the registration papers of vehicles, especially those of motorcycles. Kasi minsan kahit wala silang driver’s license nagdadala pa rin ng motor. At wala ring helmet,” said Vilela.
Among the provinces and cities in Western Visayas, Iloilo province was second in the most number of deaths due to vehicular accidents in 2019. It registered a total of 3,299 road mishaps from January to December last year.
“Most deaths were due to reckless driving,” said Vilela.
Negros Occidental posted the most number of deaths from vehicular accidents – 159. It also recorded 1,571 injured people and 1,589 cases of damage to property.
“Reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, physical injuries and damage to property – these crimes are results of reckless driving. The strict implementation of the ‘no plate, no travel’ policy will help deter road accidents. I also remind motorcycle drivers to wear helmets and follow road signs like ‘no overtaking,’” said Vilela.
The IPPO director also ordered 24-hour checkpoints in accident-prone areas.
“This time walang excuse sa motorcycle drivers,” said Vilela.
Across Western Visayas last year (not just December 2019 as previously reported), a total of 529 people died and 5,139 others were injured in road mishaps.
Most of those who died were motorcycle riders, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, spokesperson of the PRO-6.
“We never fail to remind drivers to drive safely and slowly to avoid accidents. Pero may ara gid tig-a ulo. Nagakarera sila hasta indi na nila ma-control ang ila nasakyan,” said Malong.
There were 8,998 complaints regarding damage to property, too, due to vehicular accidents.
PRO-6 data showed Aklan with 54 deaths; Antique, 46; Capiz, 60; and Guimaras, eight.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 spokesperson Riza Otayde said their office is intensifying the day and night monitoring of traffic to ensure that rules and regulations are followed to minimize if not totally avoid vehicular accidents.
But there is special focus on motorcycle riders (both drivers and back riders), said Otayde.
They should be wearing helmets and not exceed the speed limit, among others, she stressed.
Between the two highly-urbanized cities in Region 6, Bacolod had the most number of deaths last December at 40; Iloilo had 23.
In terms of persons injured due to vehicular accidents, Iloilo province had the most number at 1,571 followed by Iloilo City with 1,228.
“Over speeding is the most common cause of road mishaps,” said Otayde./PN
