As it observes “Road Safety Month,” the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged the public to become responsible road users as it reported an average of 40 persons who figured in a road crash every day in 2018. Records from the MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMRAS) showed that 14,553 people were involved.
The MMRAS said 212 persons (154 drivers, 36 passengers, and 22 pedestrians) died last year in road accidents while 14,341 (9,655 drivers, 2,546 passengers, and 2,140 pedestrians) were injured.
But it can be noted that the fatalities in 2018 were significantly reduced by 222, compared to 434 deaths in 2017, and the injured last year decreased by 5,033 from 19,374 persons in 2017.
Citing the MMRAS report, MMDA traffic czar Bong Nebrija said that the number of persons exposed to road crashes and other vehicular accidents is alarming as he emphasized that even a single life lost is already a big loss.
“One person is more than enough, dapat nga wala (there should none),” Nebrija said, adding that the number of road crashes usually balloons between November and December or in the latter part of the year, as it is the period where there is no heavy traffic in the metropolis due to the holidays.
He warned that the average of 40 persons every day in 2018 could double this year as they are already recording an average of 30 to 40 road crashes every day on EDSA alone, in the third quarter of the year.
The MMRAS said that the highest number of fatal road crashes was reported on C5 with 27 deaths (980 injured) followed by EDSA with 21 (1,169 injured), Roxas Boulevard with 17 (367 injured), and McArthur Highway with 11 (273 injured).
Road accidents have also claimed the lives of 10 persons (748 injured) on Commonwealth Avenue; eight (183 injured) on Radial Road 10; four (235 injured) on Mindanao Avenue; and four (159 injured) on Marcos Highway.
Three deaths each were recorded on Quezon Avenue (281 injured); E. Rodriguez Avenue/España Boulevard (162 injured); and Quirino Avenue (100 injured); and two (264 injured) on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard.
One death each was also reported by the MMRAS on Ortigas Avenue (223 injured), Rizal Avenue (116 injured), Taft Avenue (93 injured), and South Superhighway (67 injured).
With the alarming figures, Nebrija said that the MMDA is now focused on mitigating accidents by implementing policies and guidelines that would reduce the speed limit and improve the road worthiness, among others, in the metropolis.
“We are strictly enforcing traffic laws concerning motorcycle riders like helmets, mandatory headlights on, and wearing of closed-toe footwear; and we are also strengthening our public advisories on the streets and on social media,” he said.
Nebrija shared that a road safety forum will also be held next week as part of their campaign against road crashes, as he emphasized that the country is observing the “Road Safety Month” pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A.
The month of May is declared as “Road Safety Month” to promote road safety and raise awareness on the health impact and economic costs involved. — Robertzon Ramirez, The Philippine STAR
