Human error fuels Davao road crash surge

DAVAO CITY — Road crash incidents in the city surged by 31.3 percent in the first seven months of 2025, largely due to human error, according to the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU).

TEU chief Lt. Col. Christian Antonio D. Garcia reported during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps Media Forum that 2,598 road crashes were recorded from January to July 2025 — already surpassing the 1,998 cases reported in all of 2024.

A total of 4,864 vehicles were involved in these incidents, marking a 25 percent increase from last year. Private vehicles accounted for 37 percent, followed by motorcycles (21 percent) and trucks (10 percent).

“Human error accounts for 96 percent of these accidents — mostly due to distracted driving, fatigue, cellphone use, and failure to follow traffic rules,” Garcia said.

He noted that 83 percent of the incidents resulted in property damage, 14 percent in minor injuries, two percent in serious injuries and one percent were fatal.

Garcia identified CP Garcia Highway and MacArthur Highway as common crash areas, saying some motorists treat them like “racetracks” in the absence of traffic enforcers.

“The problem is not always the road. Most of the time, it’s the driver’s lack of discipline. Accidents usually happen from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., while the safest hours are from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.,” he added.

Efforts to improve road safety are ongoing, including training more traffic enforcers and strengthening coordination with the Land Transportation Office, Garcia said.