Road accidents on the rise

The Land Transportation Office revealed on Friday that the number of road accidents is on a spike again as motorists returned to the roads from almost three years of strict virus lockdown that kept them home.

"Things have gotten a little better, there weren't many accidents in 2020 and 2021, but the many accidents have returned this year. Of course, our motorists have been speeding again, so we are causing accidents again," LTO Las Piñas chief Joselito Luarca said in an interview on Gising Na!, a multi-platform show of the Daily Tribune, on Thursday.

"Every year accidents increase so hopefully our goal always is to have zero accidents," he added.

From January to August this year, LTO already responded to over 400 road crash incidents, the majority of which were caused by drunk driving, a violation of the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

Government data also showed that approximately 12,000 Filipinos die yearly due to road crashes — translating to an even more horrifying fact that 33 people die daily on Philippine roads.

The Department of Transportation recently received the support of the Swedish government as it prioritizes road safety in hopes of curbing the grim rise in road crash casualties.

"Safety, efficiency, and reliability are the hallmarks of all types of public transportation, that is why we are here today showing our support for the Philippine government in promoting road safety," Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg said during the first Road Safety Symposium.

The event, led by the transportation department, highlighted the search for justice for the victims of road-related crashes and their families.

"We should not diminish the importance of attaining justice for victims of road crashes and seeking peace for the families left behind," Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said.

"No one deserves the loss of opportunities due to road incidents. Consider yourselves road safety champions. We have shared responsibility to protect every Filipino on the road," he added.