Road traffic accident cases recorded from December 22, 2024, to 6:00 AM on January 2, 2025, reached 577, with 48 new cases tallied on Thursday.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the current number of road accident cases is 33.5 percent higher compared to last year.
The health agency noted that most of these cases were due to a lack of safety gear or driving under the influence of alcohol.
“Despite repeated reminders, many still travel on the road and drive without wearing safety gear such as helmets and seatbelts. Many still drive under the influence, despite the dangers it poses,” the DOH stated.
According to data from eight sentinel sites monitored by the DOH, 500 out of the 577 victims were not wearing safety accessories such as proper helmets or seatbelts, while 108 were under the influence of alcohol.
Furthermore, 415 of the recorded accidents involved motorcycles. The death toll remains at six, with four fatalities resulting from motorcycle riding.
“Don’t be stubborn! Be extra careful while traveling and remember that you share the road with many others. Road safety is a shared responsibility!” the health department reminded the public.
