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Travelers reminded anew to drive safely in Benguet

By Liza Agoot

September 28, 2022, 2:11 pm

<p><strong>MISHAP.</strong> Vehicular traffic incidents happen on major highways due to several reasons like this accident along a national highway in Bacnotan, La Union in this undated photo. Capt. Jeremias Toyokan, chief of police of Tuba town, Benguet, which has jurisdiction over four major highways leading to Baguio City said 34 of the 54 incidents recorded by their office from January to Sept. 15 this year are vehicular accidents. <em>(PNA file photo)</em></p>

MISHAP. Vehicular traffic incidents happen on major highways due to several reasons like this accident along a national highway in Bacnotan, La Union in this undated photo. Capt. Jeremias Toyokan, chief of police of Tuba town, Benguet, which has jurisdiction over four major highways leading to Baguio City said 34 of the 54 incidents recorded by their office from January to Sept. 15 this year are vehicular accidents. (PNA file photo)

TUBA, Benguet – Travelers going to and from Baguio City are urged anew to exercise caution while driving and ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before traveling.

Capt. Jeremias Toyokan, town chief of police, in an interview on Tuesday afternoon, said from January to Sept. 15 this year, 34 out of 54 incidents that occurred at the portion of Marcos Highway which is under Tuba's jurisdiction are vehicular traffic incidents.

Many of these accidents are primarily due to mechanical error while some are due to overloading, speeding, and human error such as drivers who overtake without caution, Toyokan added.

He said accidents usually occur on the highway's descending road that leads to a bridge and a tunnel in Barangay Taloy.

Aside from the Marcos Highway, a huge portion of Kennon Road, a portion of Naguilian Road, and the Nangalisan-San Pascual Road are also within the town's jurisdiction.

He said the four highways leading to Baguio City that passes the town's jurisdiction have similar characteristics-- steep, curvacious, and slippery especially when wet.

Another factor that travelers should watch out for is the fog that causes low visibility.

"Dapat kondisyon ang sasakyan pati ang driver at wag kaskasero lalo at madalas may fog (the vehicle and the driver must be in good condition and drive slowly, especially because there is always fog)," Toyokan said.

Toyokan, meanwhile, said they have observed a downtrend in vehicular accidents since the implementation of anti-road obstruction measures.

"We are implementing the order of our regional director (Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar) to prohibit parking and putting road obstructions as a preventive measure against accidents," the police officer said in Ilocano.

This is aside from the police officers manning the different intersections to remind drivers to slow down.

Bazar has earlier ordered all police units in the region to strictly implement the "no road obstruction policy" on major roads. (PNA)

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