Would you say that accidents on Philippine roads are caused mostly by errant drivers?

Lee Anne Yabut, Metro Manila: Yes, especially bus drivers who think they’re driving Minis.

Wilfredo Villanueva Vivo, Muntinlupa CITY: Hindi rin, obligasyon ‘yan ng traffic officials.

Irresponsible driving

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: Mainly, irresponsible drivers and operators who think only in terms of financial gain cause accidents on Philippine roads.

R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City: Yes, perhaps aggravated by other things like haphazardly designed public roads and highways, poorly maintained vehicles, erratic enforcement of traffic rules, undisciplined pedestrians, etc. Simply put: Bad driving habits. These other things converging on the road equals accidents.

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Yes. Most of our drivers are not prudent while driving. Most drivers are stubborn in disciplining themselves. Some drivers think they are making a movie. Therefore, we need more legislation on driver’s ethics so to prevent future accidents due to reckless imprudence and foolhardiness.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: Errant driving certainly can cause accidents. The question is, what causes them to become errant drivers? For provincial-bound bus drivers, it’s probably due to lack of sleep and/or overwork; for city bus and jeepney drivers, especially in big cities, it’s competing against other drivers in loading and unloading passengers. The bottom line is, most accidents happen due to drivers willing to risk overspeeding to overtake, lack of road courtesy and ethics, and the irregular or selective implementation of traffic rules and regulations.

Road, weather conditions

Jude Wilson Eiman Huntog, Quezon City: Aside from recklessness, other reasons are damaged roads, the lack of streetlights, and incorrect signages.

Eunice Witty-Watty, Cebu: Not always. Sometimes, it is also due to faulty roads, incorrect road signs, and the weather.

It’s so easy to get a license

June Deoferio, Cavite: It’s so easy to obtain a driver’s license in the Philippines, despite the many requirements needed, if the price is right. Kahit nga bulag, makakakuha.

Jack Bellamy Jr., Metro Manila: Maybe, drivers are not good because it’s too easy to get a license, but roads are also very bad.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Caused mostly by errant drivers, yes. The ease with which one can get a driver’s license is mostly to blame. All other negative factors contribute as well.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Yes, especially those who are ignorant of traffic rules, plus those running coffins, i.e. poorly maintained, dilapidated buses, taxis, and other types of vehicles being given licenses to operate by LTO and LTFRB. Other causes of accidents are errant drivers swerving in and out of the road, motorcycles, tricycles, kuligligs running in the highways, disregarding traffic regulations. Sa Pilipinas, basta nakahawak lang ng manibela at nakapaandar ng sasakyan, driver na, at binibigyan naman ng lisensya ng mga corrupt na taga-LTO.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Incompetent drivers who obtained licenses through fraudulent means, abetted and encouraged by corrupt LTO officials, are the major cause of road accidents.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Sino pa nga ba? These errant drivers, especially bus, jeepney and some taxi drivers, do not know traffic rules. They are the kings of the road. Basta alam ng mga driver to get their driving license. LTO naman issues the licenses, as long as these drivers pay their dues.

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Yes, most drivers do not know proper road courtesy, especially public utility drivers who only paid for their professional drivers’ licenses through fixers. The LTO is partly to blame. There are lots of changes that the present administration can initiate, instead of running after the previous administration. Unfortunately, the daang matuwid is the “road of vengeance”.

Lax laws

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, they are caused by undisciplined, errant drivers, made worse by very lax and easy-to-fix law enforcement.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Partly yes, but I would say that road accidents are mostly caused by the lax enforcement of traffic laws and ordinances.

Reckless driving

Fred Watkins, Mandaluyong City: As a new resident of the Philippines, I think aggressive driving causes most accidents. Motorbikes and buses are the biggest problem.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: I would say yes. Once behind the wheel, these drivers become kings of the road. Some are not keen observers of safety driving measures. Reckless driving contributes greatly to the road mess characteristic of our major thoroughfares.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Of course, errant drivers mostly cause accidents on Philippine roads. These road terrors drive fast and furious like kings of the road. They consider all roads to be fast lanes, unmindful of accidents to happen.

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: They are not only errant drivers, but they become mad once they get their hands on the steering wheel, feeling they are gods with awesome power to run over pedestrians and go scot-free.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: Yes, indeed, errant, crazy, snake-like-in-changing-lanes, hot-tempered drivers and the like cause road accidents on Philippine roads.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Yes, most errant drivers who may be under the influence of drugs cause accidents on Philippine roads. They probably think they are pilots, not drivers, so they drive like hell.

One problem after another

Romeo Villanueva, Quezon City: Most road accidents are caused by errant drivers, stupid law enforcement, and arrogant enforcers, coupled with improper licensing and corrupt traffic officials.

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: Most traffic accidents are caused by stupid motorists, errant pedestrians, or corrupt, bumbling and ignorant traffic enforcers.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Errant drivers are one of the reasons for frequent road accidents. Other factors are: ease in getting a driver’s license, ignorance of traffic rules, laxity in implementing traffic rules, light penalties for traffic violations, kotong cops, bus personnel compensation based on number of passengers, allowing drivers to drive long hours without rest, drugs, poor vehicle maintenance, lack of traffic lights, poorly designed roads, among others.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: Here’s what causes most road accidents here: First, most public transport vehicles here are rejects from other countries; second, jeepney and bus drivers don’t even bother to go to driving school so they don’t know anything about road courtesy, defensive and offensive driving; third, our roads are bad and there aren’t enough warning signs and lights when the roads are being fixed, especially by Maynilad.

Matter of life and death

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: The driver is just part of the problem, but he plays a big role. In his decisions lie the passengers’ or pedestrians’ final destination.

Roadworthiness is compromised

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: That may be true of accidents involving private vehicles. However, for many accidents befalling public transport, brake failures or worn-out tires were determined to be the culprit. As many bus companies are reportedly scrimping on maintenance costs, faulty brakes and worn-out tires are often found to be the cause of several accidents. Considering the lax supervision of government regulatory agencies, we can only expect more bus accidents on Philippine roads.

Implement harsh penalties

Mike Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Yes, they are the main culprits and the impunity continues if there are no harsh penalties.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: We can only prevent road accidents from happening if we are conscious about safety. Errant drivers who think of themselves as kings of the road outnumber defensive drivers. Perhaps a more serious concern for our authorities is the implementation of stricter penalties on offenders, so that these errant drivers will follow road rules.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes, and many other factors, such as poor road conditions; dilapidated and poorly maintained vehicles; use of second-hand and recapped tires; unregistered vehicles roaming our roads; vehicles with no brake lights, head lights and signal lights (many of these vehicles abound our roads); inadequate roads signs; irresponsible motorcycle riders; etc. Putting more teeth to our traffic laws and increasing penalties to traffic violators would surely decrease the incidence of these road accidents.

Authorities are sleeping on the job

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It’s very obvious that errant drivers are the main culprits and expect their impunity to continue. As long as there is no conviction in most cases, they can easily evade accountability, because authorities are sleeping on the job and only act when media highlights another tragic accident that has happened.

The LTO is partly to blame

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I am pretty sure this is a given. Errant drivers cause the most number of accidents on Philippine roads. The majority are motorcycle drivers, most of whom have no road courtesy, zigzagging in between four-wheel or bigger vehicles at breakneck speed, and sometimes beating red lights at intersections, even in the presence of traffic enforcers. Other errant drivers are those who obtained their driver’s licenses without credentials, as skilled drivers or who have not been screened for certain necessary matters, such as being knowledgeable about traffic rules, road courtesy, etc. The LTO should devise means to at least minimize the occurrence of these road accidents.

Felix Ramento, USA: Yes, and LTO should be made accountable for the presence of a great number of unskilled and undisciplined drivers on our roads, including many unworthy vehicles. I, therefore, submit that LTO is the biggest single contributor to this menace on Philippine roads.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, unworthy vehicles, driving under the influence of liquor or prohibited drugs, coupled with kayabangan, init ng ulo on the part of the driver, contribute much to road accidents in our country. Concerned authorities, like the LGUs or LTO, etc. must look into this on how they can effectively address the issue.

Improve traffic enforcement

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Yes, most accidents on Philippine roads are caused and perpetrated by errant drivers. Most drivers (especially jeepney and bus drivers) get driver’s licenses without even knowing the basics of driving and driving rules and regulations (such as the meaning of road and traffic signs, road courtesy, speed limit signs, traffic light regulations, parking/loading/unloading rules, pedestrian courtesy, etc.). These drivers sometimes operate their vehicles as if they are the kings of the road. Police and traffic enforcers should be strict in meting out the necessary punishment/s to those who violate traffic and road rules in order to instill road and traffic discipline. They should be visible and man their respective posts 24 hours a day and seven days a week through shifting schedules. Another thing, traffic lights and closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) should be established and placed in strategic locations.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Not at all, but the now-you-see-now-you-don’t traffic officers have a serious part in these unfaithful occurrences. Their negligence is intolerable. There are many factors to blame, and the traffic officer is one. But if only we are mindful of others’ welfare, accidents can be avoided.

Drivers work under deplorable conditions

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Yes, road accidents are caused mostly by errant drivers who are working under deplorable conditions. They are underpaid and living a hand-to-mouth existence. Unlike public utility drivers in most countries, Filipino drivers are not professional. They are undisciplined, shabbily dressed, and underpaid. Thus, they are prone to committing various traffic violations at the expense of human lives. This has been a vicious cycle which P-Noy’s government must address.

Product of lawlessness

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Errant drivers are results of lawlessness in our streets. Marami pa ang mamamatay at walang pakialam ang mga namumuno sa gobyerno, local man o nasyonal.

Check out these areas

Joseph Vergara, Metro Manila: If traffic enforcers are only serious about instilling discipline, there will neither be errant drivers nor accidents on Philippine roads. I invite everyone to validate if it is indeed true that Pasig City traffic enforcers are super strict. Just take the San Miguel Avenue/ADB Avenue stretch and check if pedestrians have space left to pass on the sidewalks. An interesting spot to check would be the intersection of San Miguel Avenue and Exchange Road, as well as ADB Avenue corner Julia Vargas, especially when the traffic light or the traffic enforcer says stop, and yet pedestrians still cannot cross.

Caused by corruption

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Accidents on Philippine roads are mostly caused not by errant drivers but by corruption, causing LTO to be relaxed and inefficient in issuing driver’s licenses. How many people possessing a driver’s license and are currently on the road at this time, are driving not within the restriction of vehicles he is entitled to drive, as shown in his driver’s license? Pulse Asia, together with SWS, must conduct statistics to warn and caution LTO about the matter.

Better for us to look for solutions

Nic Basbas, Laguna: It could have been useful for the country and its citizenry if Phil. STAR got the facts and data of the causes of road accidents, published it, and then ask the public what could be the best possible solution to each cause. Instead of looking at who or what to blame, look for a solution.

Here’s my suggestion

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Yes, errant drivers are mostly the culprits on road accidents, but blame also traffic enforcers for not doing their job. On the other hand, traffic enforcers should be provided with safety equipment or gadgets against elements, such as dust, smoke, heat, cold and rainwater. They also need flashlights and light reflectors during nighttime. They must be reminded that their duty is to direct traffic and not to hide behind objects to trap errant drivers. Drivers will be cautious if traffic enforcers are visible. Driver licensing offices should screen thoroughly driver’s license applicants for their physical, mental and emotional fitness. There must be traffic enforcers at every half kilometer along main highways in the province, where drivers tend to be reckless. These measures will involve huge amounts of money, but that will be less expensive, as there will be less hospital and medical expenses and court litigations. 

Drivers, not vehicles, make accidents

Othello Privaldos, Metro Manila: Yes, the driver.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Under a conscientious, expert and law-abiding driver, any road-worthy vehicle is safe. Likewise, it’s not the gun that kills, but the person behind it.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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