Motorcycles are a cheap and convenient way to get around our traffic-jammed roads, but more safety measures should be implemented to address the increasing number
of deadly accidents involving them.
Motorcycle riders have constantly been the top victims of road-crash injuries since 2010, according to data from the Department of Health, with 6 in 10 injured involving them.
Studies showed that there are about an average of 16,208 motorcycle accidents recorded in the country every year.
In its 2015 road-safety report, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 1.25 million people have died globally due to road accidents, with motorcyclists comprising 23 percent of the figure.
The WHO report also said that more than half—or 53 percent—of those who die in road accidents in the Philippines are motorcycle riders.
With motorcycle sales going through the roof every year—the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association projects annual sales to go over 2 million units by 2020—we urge the government to impose more safety measures to prevent accidents.
There are about 4 million motorcycle users in the Philippines, and most of them are beginners or first-time users, but even those who’ve been driving around in motorcycles for quite some time are not exempted from boorish behavior on our roads.
Despite the implementation of the helmet law in the country, motorcycles have the highest fatality accident rate in Metro Manila, according to statistics compiled by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System Database.
Nine out of 10 motorcycle riders killed in accidents were not wearing helmets, a DOH study said. The common causes of motorcycle accidents were head-on collisions, lane splitting (motorcycle driving between two lanes of slow moving cars), driving under the influence, going straight through an intersection, and passing or trying to overtake a car.
A lot of motorcyclists seem to believe they are exempted from traffic rules. Transportation and traffic officials should really crack the whip on reckless motorcyclists, as they should do for all kinds of drivers, since bad driving is the No. 1 cause of accidents for any kind of vehicle on our roads.
Mr. Takeshi Yano of Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc. said most motorcycle drivers lack proper training. Recognizing the need to address the growing number of motorcycle accidents, his company has been conducting a safe riding campaign, which incorporates lectures and drills aimed at highlighting the importance of road safety and the relevance of wearing helmets and other protective gears.
The issuance of driving licenses should also be closely monitored, especially the practical or actual driving tests. There should be more stringent tests for motorcycle drivers because motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injury or death. A good number of motorcycle accidents have also involved women and children.
Establishing motorcycle toll lanes or facilities that could ensure protection for riders by providing them safe ingress and egress to and from Metro Manila is also a measure worth considering. The MMDA is already implementing the “blue lane” policy for motorcycle riders traversing Edsa, which aims to lessen crashes on the country’s busiest road, where motorcyclists are involved in 55 road crashes a day. Traffic authorities could certainly expand the network of motorcycle lanes to other busy roads within our cities and even those going to and from the provinces.
There are many responsible motorcycle drivers and motorcycle associations out there. We commend them for teaching their fellow riders about proper driving and safety-consciousness. We wish them well and we hope their tribe will increase. With their and the government’s help, we truly look forward to seeing less and less motorcycle accidents on our roads.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano
1 comment
Most of Filipino drivers and riders don’t know how to drive… I drive for over 50 in different countries and I didn’t have accident, until I moved to Phils… in 1 year I was involved in 4 accidents caused by cars and jeepneys, not my fault.
When I get my Filipino license, I asked LTO official about the road rules, he said there are no road rules in Phils…
Car drivers are the worst, they are protected by heavy tinted windows, so you can’t see those carabao drivers… That’s why they are careless.
Driving at night in Phils is a horror, so many vehicles without lights, or using high beam blinding other road users.
It’s not enough to make new rules, any new and old rules must be enforced! I have never seen law enforcement officers on the road outside the cities… Where are they?