HPG intensifies drive on road safety tips

CEBU, Philippines — Due to the rising number of road accidents in Cebu, the authorities have intensified its campaign on road safety awareness.

Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Chief, Police Captain Michael Gingoyon, said Cebu province has tallied more road accidents recently.

In 2019, Gingoyon said that Cebu Province has recorded 236 Reckless Imprudence Resulting (RIR) in multiple physical injuries incidents, 175 RIR in homicide and had eight incidents of RIR in multiple homicide.

However, 94.5 percent of these cases were solved, while the remaining incidents were caused by hit and run incidents.

Gingoyon finds it alarming the record of fatalities in road accidents, considering that these incidents are highly preventable.

The preventive measures should involve the driver and the law enforcers to intensify the implementation of the traffic law, Gingoyon said.

The authorities also thought that the increasing number of vehicles has also contributed to the rising number of road accidents.

With this, a program to reduce these incidents has been pushed by the authorities starting from the additional augmentation of police personnel to look after the highways and to ensure that every public driver is strictly observing traffic laws.

Gingoyon also said that the common reasons of the accidents were mostly due overspeeding, drunk driving and overloading.

“Usa sad sa factor para nako is wala gyud tay mga gamit gani like mga speed gun para mo-enforce gyud anang mga balaod,” he added.

Most of those who were involved in the accidents are within the 15 to 29 years old age group.

In drunk driving, Gingoyon said that they have been coordinating with the LTO to conduct seminars and orientations on how to properly use the breath analyzer.

For cases of overloading, Gingoyon mentioned the Boljoon accident that took the lives of several students as concrete example to avoid it.

“Mura ni silag mga working persons, or mga working age group na nagtrabaho pirmi, naa pirmi sa kalsada,” Gingoyon said, referring to the age group involved in road accidents.

At present, the information drive over safety measures is ongoing, especially the drive on using the proper helmets and seatbelts which were not strictly observed by the other areas in the province.

Gingoyon has also advised to use the standard helmet, and not the nutshell type of helmet which were commonly used by bikers.

The HPG also are coordinating with the LTO in conducting seminars to properly orient the people in using the right preventive measures.

He also added that it is important to get the legitimate documents before driving to avoid violations.

“Let’s be aware of our responsibility...magmatngon lang gyud ta and be a defensive driver, mao nay pinaka-importante,” Gingoyon said.  GAN (FREEMAN)