Forty-eight new cases of road traffic incidents were recorded as of Thursday, bringing the total caseload to 577, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
DOH said that the 577 cases reported from December 22, 2024 to January 2, 2025 were 33.5% higher than the cases during the same period last year.
Of them, 415 were involved in motorcycle accidents, while 500 were found not wearing safety accessories when the incident happened.
There were 108 cases who were under the influence of alcohol when they were involved in the accident. Most of the cases were also men aged 20 to 24.
At a press conference, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said he considers the high number of road mishaps throughout the holiday season as “bad news.”
“Hindi nakakagulat na of the 72% motorcycle riders, 90% or 9 out of 10 of these riders who were injured did not wear helmet. Hindi naka-helmet. So ‘pagka next year bantayan natin ‘yung hindi naghe-helmet talaga kasi hindi sila magkaka-injury kung naka-helmet sila,” Herbosa said.
(We’re not surprised that 90% or 9 out of 10 of these riders who were injured did not wear helmets. Next year, we have to monitor those who are not wearing helmets because they will not get injured if they do so.)
The Health chief also underscored the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Helmet Use Law, especially in provinces.
“Nationwide ang datos namin [pero] ang mataas namin sa motorcycle [accidents ay] Cagayan Valley and Caraga. Baka doon ‘pag nakikita ninyo ‘yung nagmo-motor, hindi talaga naghe-helmet,” he added.
(Our data is nationwide but most of the recorded motorcycle accidents are from Cagayan Valley and Caraga. Maybe the people in those areas are not really wearing helmets.)
Herbosa said that the DOH will also continue its road safety campaign even after the holiday season.
Motorists who encounter road accidents may call 911 emergency hotline or 1555 DOH emergency hotline.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
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