40 persons in MM road crashes daily in 2018

MANILA, Philippines — As part of Road Safety Month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday urged the public to become responsible road users as it reported that an average of 40 persons figured in a road crash every day in 2018.

Records from the MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMRAS) showed that 14,553 persons figured in road crashes in 2018, or an average of 40 persons each day.

The MMRAS said 212 persons – 154 drivers, 36 passengers and 22 pedestrians – died last year in road crashes while 14,341 persons – 9,655 drivers, 2,546 passengers and 2,140 pedestrians – were injured.

The fatalities are lower compared to 434 deaths and 19,374 injured in 2017, according to the MMRAS.

Citing the report, MMDA traffic czar Bong Nebrija said the number of road crashes usually balloons between November and December.

He added that the daily average could double this year as the agency has been recording an average of 30 to 40 road crashes every day on EDSA alone since January.

The MMRAS said that the highest number of fatal road crashes was reported on C5 Road with 27 deaths (980 injured) followed by EDSA with 21 (1,169 injured), Roxas Boulevard with 17 (367 injured) and McArthur Highway with 11 (273 injured).

The road crashes have also claimed the lives of 10 persons (748 injured) on Commonwealth Avenue, eight (183 injured) on Radial Road 10, four (235 injured) on Mindanao Avenue and four (159 injured) on Marcos Highway.

Three deaths each were recorded on Quezon Avenue (281 injured), E. Rodriguez Avenue/España Boulevard (162 injured) and Quirino Avenue (100 injured) and two (264 injured) on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard/Aurora Boulevard.

One death each was also reported on Ortigas Avenue (223 injured), Rizal Avenue (116 injured), Taft Avenue (93 injured) and South Superhighway (67 injured).

Nebrija said the MMDA is focusing on lowering the speed limit and improving the roadworthiness of vehicles in the metropolis, among others. 

“We are strictly enforcing traffic laws concerning motorcycle riders like helmets, mandatory headlights on and wearing of closed-toe footwear. We are also strengthening our public advisories on the streets and on social media,” he said. 

Presidential Proclamation 115-A declared the month of May as Road Safety Month to promote road safety and raise awareness on the health impact and economic costs of road mishaps.