BAGUIO CITY — Human error is the leading cause of traffic accidents in the city, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) said, citing that it caused approximately 95% of incidents recorded over the past five months.

Thus, local authorities are calling for strategic interventions seeking to reduce the number of accidents and improve road safety in this mountain tourist enclave.

BCPO Strategic Management Team Chief, Police Col. Judy Jasmin Palicos, though emphasized that human error does not solely refer to driver mistakes but also includes factors such as road conditions, infrastructure, and environmental influences that affect driving performance.

“We need a multi-faceted approach to addressing these incidents, one that involves the active participation of everyone in the community,” Ms. Palicos urged. “By doing so, we can work toward a significant reduction in traffic accidents.”

BCPO data from Jan. 1 to May 27, reveals that there were 375 recorded traffic accidents, a notable increase compared to 322 incidents during the same period last year.

Of these accidents, 307 resulted in property damage, 60 caused physical injuries, and 8 were fatal. While most incidents involved motor vehicles in 356 cases, motorcycles were involved in only 19 accidents.

The majority of accidents, 166, occurred within the central business district area, though incidents were reported in various parts of the city.

Seeking to curb the rising number of accidents, the Baguio police has rolled out its Operation Plan DRIVE, or Discipline, Respect, Infrastructure, Vigilance, and Education, aiming to educate motorists and the public on road safety responsibilities.

Ms. Palicos appealed for support to the initiative and “become proactive agents of change in ensuring safer roads, thereby helping to prevent accidents, injuries, and loss of life.” “We all share the responsibility of keeping our streets safe,” she said. — Artemio A. Dumlao

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