Be careful on our roads

Recent incidents of vehicular accidents in Cebu resulting in fatalities and injuries serve as a reminder for everyone to be very cautious on the roads these days.

I'm not entirely sure why, but it appears that there has been a dangerous shift in the attitudes and behaviors of many drivers. There have been numerous instances of human error and reckless driving, resulting in increased danger on our roads.

Last November, I myself was a victim of reckless driving near my home in Banilad when a motorcycle driver rear-ended my car causing minor damage. But I was more concerned about that young driver of the said motorcycle because if he continued driving that way, he may become involved in an even more dangerous accident in the future.

On Tuesday, February 21, a tragic accident occurred along the national highway in Barangay Dunggoan, Danao City. A couple named Erwin and Imelda, along with their two-year old daughter, lost their lives in a collision between their black sedan and a wing van driven by Nolin Batobalonos, who was delivering feeds in the northern towns. The couple's son survived the accident and is currently receiving treatment at the provincial hospital in Danao City.

The following day, on Wednesday, three individuals were injured when the pickup truck they were traveling in crashed into a road divider and overturned along the highway in Barangay Yati, Liloan town, northern Cebu. I frequently pass through that area and find the road dividers in the center lane to be unnecessary and even pose a traffic hazard.

On September 27, 2022, The FREEMAN newspaper reported that the number of road accidents in Cebu City has doubled. The city previously had an average of 200 vehicular accidents per month, but this number has now increased to about 400 and even up to 500 during the early months of 2022. In the report, Cebu City Transportation Office executive director Paul Gotiong stated that based on the data from January to July in 2022, this is equivalent to roughly 13 accidents per day.

The fact that the number of vehicular accidents has reached an average of 13 per day in Cebu City alone is a great cause for concern. The rising number of vehicles on the road and poor road conditions could be considered the major factors contributing to the increase in road accidents in Cebu.

However, probably the problem is more complex than mere lack of road manners and bad road conditions. Nowadays, an increasing number of drivers appear to show carelessness while driving, often due to distractions caused by their smartphones or a deficiency in defensive driving skills.

In addressing this issue, we can call on government agencies concerned to take proactive measures to improve road safety. This includes investing in road maintenance and improving lighting on roads. We may also reiterate our call for stricter regulations and the serious implementation of a comprehensive drivers’ education and awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of safe driving practices.

But I think many of these factors that make our roads dangerous are also influenced by our sociocultural norms surrounding the way we operate vehicles on the road. For one, we often forget that motor vehicles --be they cars, SUVs, trucks or motorcycles-- can be death machines in the hands of immature or abusive drivers.

For another, drivers of motor vehicles often think that their vehicles are kings of the road in relation to “lowly” pedestrians and smaller vehicles. One study suggested that countries with higher road-traffic accident fatality rates were characterized by “higher power distance and uncertainty avoidance as well as embeddedness and emphasis on social hierarchy.” Higher power distance refers to inequality and unequal distributions of power in society.

The responsibility of ensuring road safety does not solely rest on the government but also on all of us. Thus, it is important that we all participate in promoting responsible driving and following traffic laws all the time. It is equally important to advocate for better road safety measures and hold those who violate traffic regulations accountable.

Likewise, always remember the following basic road manners. “Stay focused and stay alive. Don't take chances on the road. Drive defensively. Always wear your seatbelt. Don't drink and drive.

“Always obey traffic rules and signals. Think of others on the road. Don't let impatience lead to tragedy. And, last but not the least, don't let your phone distract you. Keep your eyes on the road."