ILOILO – Reckless driving remained the leading cause of road crashes in Iloilo province in 2024, according to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
Police Major Aldren Lamera of the IPPO reported that reckless driving accounted for 2,318 of the 3,184 total road crashes recorded in the province from January to November 2024.
While this figure represents a slight decrease from the 2,333 cases of reckless driving-related crashes in 2023, it remains alarmingly high, he told a recent Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committee hearing.
Driver error was the second leading cause, contributing to 788 road crashes in 2024, said Lamera.
IPPO data also revealed that the total road crashes in 2024 resulted in 126 fatalities — 26 percent higher than the 120 deaths recorded in the same period of 2023.
In addition to fatalities, the crashes caused damage to property in 1,773 cases and physical injuries in 1,285 cases.
Minimal involvement of minors, particularly those aged 12 to 17, was noted, with only 105 cases recorded out of the total road crashes in 2024.
Motorcycles Top Crash Statistics
Two-wheeled vehicles, particularly motorcycles, were most frequently involved in road crashes, accounting for 2,048 incidents in 2024 out of the 3,184 total, IPPO data further showed.
This figure marked a decrease from 2023, which recorded 2,334 motorcycle-related crashes out of 3,132 total incidents.
Four-wheelers, three-wheelers, and six-wheelers followed in crash involvement.
Most road crashes occurred during rush hours, particularly at 7 a.m. and between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., coinciding with the start and end of work and school activities.
Major contributing factors identified included reckless driving, driver errors, drunk driving, and unsafe driver behavior.
Poor road conditions, insufficient maintenance, inadequate lighting, and hazardous road designs also played a role.
SP Urges Action on Road Crashes
In response to the IPPO data, 2nd District Provincial Board member June Mondejar, chairperson of the Committee on Public Order and Security, emphasized the need for focused efforts to address road crashes.
He proposed holding regular meetings of the Road Safety Task Force, which includes the IPPO, local government units (LGUs), the Iloilo Provincial Government, and other concerned agencies, to review and update the road safety plan.
Mondejar stressed the importance of identifying and addressing specific road hazards, such as potholes or missing streetlights. He called for better coordination among agencies to promptly address these issues to prevent further accidents.
The SP aims to prioritize road safety initiatives this year to significantly reduce the incidence of road crashes in Iloilo province./PN
