BCPO records 731 vehicular accidents in nine months

A total of 731 accidents involving vehicles and motorcycles were recorded by the Baguio City Police Office from January to September this year.

BCPO operations chief Lt. Col. Domingo Gambican reported an average of 81 road accidents per month transpiring along city roads and streets during the third quarter meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting held Monday, October 10, 2022.

He said these vehicular accidents decreased during the pandemic with the implementation of lockdowns limiting mobility and traffic.

However, Gambican said drivers became so used to driving without traffic that they are having a hard time adjusting with the usual bumper-to-bumper road conditions leading to vehicular accidents.

Out of the 731 vehicular accidents in nine months, 538 involved four wheeled vehicles while 203 are two wheeled or motorcycles.

Gambican said human error and mechanical defects of vehicles as major causes of vehicular accidents and reminds motorists to always check brakes, lights, oil, water, battery, air and gasoline/diesel before traveling to ensure that all roads lead to safety.

Alarmed with the number of vehicular accidents in the city, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong directed the BCPO to strengthen its information and education campaign on road safety using the Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) in strategically deploying police personnel along identified accident-prone areas.

The BCPO data reveals out of the 731 total vehicular accidents, 232 transpired during the first quarter of the year while 273 during the second quarter and 226 during the third quarter.

“I am ordering the BCPO through City Director Francis Bulwayan to ensure that the number of vehicular accidents will not surpass 300 for the third and fourth quarter. Do something about it,” the mayor said. – Jessa Mardy Samidan