MMDA: Road mishaps dropped for first 5 months of 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The number of vehicular accidents in Metro Manila dropped from January to May this year compared to the same period last year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported yesterday.

Data from the MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) showed a decrease of almost 18 percent in the number of road accidents for the first five months of the year.

According to MMARAS, there were 20,151 road accidents reported for this period compared to last year’s 24,417 accidents. Most of the reported incidents involved motorcycles, the MMARAS said.

Records from the MMARAS showed that most of the accidents happened in Quezon City, followed by Manila. The municipality of Pateros posted the least number of accidents, followed by Navotas City.

MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes said Quezon City posted the most number of accidents as it has the biggest land area among Metro Manila’s local governments.

Quezon City, Inocentes said, also has three of the metropolis’ seven major roads – EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue and Quezon Avenue.

Pateros posted a low number of accidents as it has the smallest land area among Metro Manila’s local governments, he said.

According to the MMARAS, speeding, reckless overtaking, and disregard of traffic signs caused many of the accidents.

The MMARAS is operated by the Road Safety Unit of the MMDA’s Traffic Operations Center in cooperation with the Traffic Enforcement Group of the Philippine National Police and the National Capital Region Police Office. MMARAS is tasked to compile and maintain a database of road accidents that can be used to indicate areas where safety improvements are to be made.

Despite the drop in the number of reported road accidents, Inocentes has appealed to motorists to be more safety-conscious on the road.

“The MMDA has been coming up with solutions to solve the traffic problems, almost all our projects are geared towards public safety. However, our efforts will go to waste if the drivers themselves will ignore and disobey traffic rules,” he said.

As part of its road safety drive, the MMDA has constructed several pedestrian footbridges along the Metro’s major roads, cleared and improved sidewalks, installed road barriers and traffic signs and is strictly enforcing traffic rules.

Meanwhile, the MMDA is encouraging motorcycle dealers to be more safety-conscious by making their buyers attend a road safety seminar before bringing their purchased units home.