DOH logs 4 deaths, 414 injuries from road crashes during holiday season
Four people were killed while 414 others were injured in road crashes from Dec. 21 up to 5 a.m. on Dec. 29, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday.
The casualty figures were based on data collected from 10 sentinel hospitals. According to the DOH, 343 of those involved in road accidents failed to use safety accessories such as seat belts and helmets, while 58 were driving while under the influence of liquor.
Of the total casualties, motorcycle crashes accounted for 305 victims, including the four who were killed, it added.
By age group, most of the victims were between 15 and 29 years old.
The DOH said that Cagayan Valley logged the highest number of road crashes, followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and the Ilocos region.
It noted, however, that the road crashes from Dec. 21 to Dec. 29 this year were 4.82-percent lower compared to the same period in 2024.
Safety reminders
To avoid accidents, the DOH reminded drivers to use helmets and seat belts approved by the Department of Trade and Industry. It also advised them to follow prescribed speed limits, not to use mobile devices while driving and to avoid getting behind the wheel while tired.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO), meanwhile, issued a show-cause order to a driver who allegedly threatened to “draw a weapon” on a parking attendant in Baguio City.
The LTO said in a social media post on Monday that the man was caught on video “exhibiting hostile behavior toward the parking attendant, provoking him to approach and seemingly attempting to draw a weapon from his vehicle.”
His behavior “clearly caused danger and is a violation of the expected behavior of a responsible motorist,” it added.
According to the LTO, it will suspend the driver’s license for 90 days, while his vehicle will be placed under alert.
At the same, the driver and registered vehicle owner were directed to appear before the LTO to explain why they must not be held liable for being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle.
LTO chief Markus Lacanilao reminded the public to remain composed and cool-headed while driving, saying that “a road is a public place where everyone should continue to feel safe—it is not a place for anger or aggression.”
“A license to drive is a privilege and not a right. Anyone who is proven to be unable to drive with discipline, respect, and responsibility may lose this privilege at any time,” he said. —WITH A REPORT FROM GILLIAN VILLANUEVA
