The Makati City police has noted a significant increase in motorcycle-related accidents involving restaurant “riders” who try to deliver food within a 30-minute period guaranteed by their employers.
Statistics from the city police show that an average of three mishaps happen along the city’s major and inner roads daily, basically due to delivery drivers always trying to beat the clock.
Chief Inspector Jimmy Santos, Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) head, said these accidents range from motorcycles colliding with jeepneys and private vehicles to hitting or sideswiping pedestrians.
He noted that some motorcycle riders even ram into outposts and end up getting hurt just because they are in a rush to please a customer waiting for food to be brought to his or her doorstep as soon as possible.
Santos said motorcycle accidents in Makati City happen mainly because of human error and reckless or irresponsible driving.
“Sometimes the accidents are terrible. Common violations include swerving, beating the red light, overspeeding, and violating rights of way,” he told The STAR.
Because of the increasing number of motorcycle-related mishaps, Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said they opted to conduct a seminar on road safety.
The police sent letters to business owners and managers who sent their employees to attend the seminar yesterday.
Santos said delivery boys were given lectures on traffic and road safety, defensive driving, causes of accidents, vehicle maintenance, and existing ordinances and rules they need to know.
Cruz said the seminar, which was attended by employees of leading fastfood restaurants, also gave the police a chance to “help us battle crime because they are the ones who are always on the road. They can easily report incidents that need police response.”