ROAD ACCIDENT. This vehicular traffic accident in Virac, Itogon, Benguet on Nov. 27, 2023 injured 10 persons and a child who had to go through surgery. The regional transportation office is strictly implementing traffic laws, intensified monitoring of public utility vehicle terminals, and roadside inspection of vehicles to prevent road crashes, its chief said in an interview on Thursday (Nov. 30, 2023). (Photo courtesy of Rafael Valencia FB)
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the Cordillera region said the strict implementation of traffic laws, intensified monitoring of public utility vehicle terminals, and roadside inspection of vehicles are being done to prevent road crashes.
In a phone interview on Thursday, lawyer Joshua Pablito, DOTR-Cordillera director, said based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, road accidents were the 13th leading cause of death among Filipinos in 2022.
He said this is why authorities check the roadworthiness of vehicles during their annual registration, whether drivers have valid licenses while on the road, and if passengers are using seat belts.
He said having a driver’s license is a privilege but it could be revoked or suspended by the department once there is a complaint against the holder.
DOTr personnel also conduct regular monitoring of public utility vehicle terminals, as well as on-the-spot drug testing in partnership with law enforcement units to ensure that the drivers and their conductors are physically and mentally prepared to ferry commuters.
“To prevent another person (from) becoming another victim, another person in jail, another person wanting to seek revenge for his loved one, another life lost due to nonsense and stupidity, we must strictly enforce traffic laws and remind everyone to be careful and to observe due diligence, defensive driving, and road safety,” Pablito added. (PNA)
