How safe are our roads?

After almost three years of limited movement and staying mostly indoors, the pandemic has created an impression that our streets and highways are safer and more forgiving to motorists and pedestrians. Even the number of cyclists and alternative motorized vehicles on the road like e-bikes, e-scooters and e-trikes seem to point that road conditions might be better now compared to three years ago, or is it? Just how safe are our roads? 

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The Department of Health’s Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS) September 2021 Factsheet revealed that 9,633 or 32.5% of the reported injuries nationwide by government and public hospitals from January to March 2021 were due to transport or vehicular crashes. Vehicular-related injuries comprised the bulk of the reported cases, which were followed by bites at 7,156, and falls at 3,543. 

Of the reported transport or vehicular injuries, 9,627 or 99.9% involved land-based vehicles, while six or 0.1% were water-related transport cases. 

Most of the incidents occurred at Region IV-A or CALABARZON which had the highest number of reports at 16.3% or 1,568. This was followed by Region VII or Central Visayas Region with 1,017 or 10.6%, and Region I or Ilocos Region with 935 or 9.7%. 

Of those injured, 9,609 or 99.8% reached the hospital alive while 16 or 0.2% were dead on arrival. Seventy-nine or 0.8% of the 9,633 cases were fatal. 

The data also showed that transport and vehicular crashes favored no one as the ages of those injured ranged from children less than a year old to 98-year-old seniors. However, more males sustained injuries at 7,376 or 76.6%, compared to females with 2,257 or 23.4%. 

The ONEISS report showed that accidents mostly happened during the morning and evening rush hours. From the total reported transport and vehicular injuries, 2,650 or 27.5% transpired from 4:00 pm to   7:59 pm, 1,912 or 19.8% occurred between 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 1,612 or 16.7% occurred between 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm. 

The three-month study gives an alarming glimpse of the driving conditions in the Philippines as the reported cases still occurred at the height of travel restrictions and community quarantines. Motorists, pedestrians, and drivers of alternative motorized vehicles should be extra cautious on the road as the possibility of accidents is still high, pandemic or not. 

Drivers should drive defensively and ensure their and their passengers’ safety by following traffic regulations and road safety practices. Aside from driving with a cool head, alert mind, and healthy disposition, it is highly advised to get a comprehensive motorcar insurance policy like Malayan AutoMaster to help car owners recoup the expenses of a damaged vehicle, liabilities, or worse, sustained injuries, should the unexpected happen.   

Car insurance policies like AutoMaster can financially shield vehicle owners from the aftermath of a vehicular accident and is must-have given that 545 road mishaps happen every day according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Sustainable Urban Transport Index for Metro Manila and Impacts of COVID-19 on Mobility report by Sandy Gaspay. The study which compared the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System (MMARAS) data from 2016 to 2020 stated that 53% of the fatalities in the five-year period were drivers, 13% were passengers, and an astounding 34% were pedestrians.  

Of course, not all mishaps lead to injuries or fatalities. Some setbacks result in scrapes, dents or mechanical problems. With the help of 24/7 emergency roadside assistance like AutoMaster’s Call Malayan Insurance Live Line (CAMILLE), drivers can get minor roadside repairs, towing or repatriation of their broken-down vehicle. Should car owners feel unwell at any time, they can also tap the Medimate 24/7 telemedicine service to receive unlimited online medical consultations with primary physicians and other medical services.      

Although the government has implemented safety measures to protect motorists and commuters such as reflective street signs, paved roads and pedestrian access, bike lanes, and stricter driver’s license requirements, the ultimate factor that will improve the country’s road safety is the discipline, competence, behavior and wellness of both drivers and pedestrians. While were all working towards that, it’s definitely a good idea to sign up for a reliable and easy-to-claim motorcar policy like Malayan Insurance’s AutoMaster.

To learn more about AutoMaster, visit www.malayan.com/products/assets-and- property/automaster.