Reckless driving top cause of vehicular accidents in WV

Vehicular accidents recorded by the Philippine National Police in Western Visayas from January to May this year pointed to reckless driving as one of the top reasons, followed by driver’s error.

The result of its study on vehicular accidents will be raised by the Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) before members of the Regional Law Enforcement Agency Coordinating Committee for them to take proper action.

“One of the purposes of the meeting is to give recommendations. Based on the result of the investigation, we will make recommendations,” PRO-6 director Brig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo said in a press conference today.

Dongbo said he has requested Col. Gilbert Gorero, the chief of the regional operations management division, to conduct a study on the number of vehicular accidents that will be presented during one of their meetings.

Gorero’s presentation during the media briefing showed 1,531 cases of reckless driving from January to May this year, or an increase of 15.54 percent compared with 1,325 for the same period last year.

There were 1,474 cases due to driver’s error, which is a decline of 6.7 percent when compared with 1,580 incidents for the first five months of last year.

Accidents due to mechanical reasons and road rage also rose by 36.11 percent and 650 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, reckless imprudence resulting in homicide declined in the region, except for Bacolod City and Iloilo City which registered 11 and six incidents

On reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, a decrease of 6.3 percent or 11 incidents were registered for the period.

However, Bacolod City and Iloilo City had an increase of 19 and eight incidents, respectively.
“Reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries decreased 0.57 percent. Capiz, Iloilo province, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are among the areas with ascending trends,” Gorero said in his presentation.

He said there was a decrease of 0.68 percent for four-wheel vehicles being involved in accidents but a 6.05 percent increase was registered for two-wheel vehicles, 10.96 percent up for three-wheelers, and 11.69 percent hike for vehicles that have six wheels and above.

Dongbo said he will bring before the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issues on road repair, which reportedly is among the factors why road accidents happen.* (Perla Lena/PNA)