Editorial - Unsafe travels

In recent years about 50 people have died in vehicular accidents at the Bontiway section of the winding Marcos Highway in Tuba, Benguet. The accidents, unfortunately, have not imparted sufficient lessons on careful driving along the national road going to Baguio City.

The other night, seven people were killed and about 30 more were injured, some of the critically, when a tourist bus full of college students slammed into a delivery truck at the same section of the highway.

Survivors and witnesses said the bus had barreled down the winding road at breakneck speed as it overtook another vehicle. The impact crushed several of the passengers, mostly students of the Marinduque State College who had gone to Baguio on a “Lakbay Aral” educational tour. The bus driver remained in critical condition yesterday. Another bus driver was among the fatalities.

The bus had three drivers who alternated for the long trip. Driving in three shifts did not prevent the one who negotiated Marcos Highway, identified as Roger Albayalde, from speeding.

The steep, narrow, winding roads leading to one of the country’s top tourist destinations are among the most accident-prone in the country. There are other accident-prone spots in many areas, mostly mountain roads. The dangerous terrain is compounded by old and poorly maintained vehicles and careless drivers, some of whom take drugs to stay awake for long trips.

It has been said often enough that accidents happen, but there are ways of minimizing their occurrence. If the administration wants to promote tourism, making traveling safe should be a priority. Authorities must impose more stringent rules to make mass transportation safe nationwide. Public safety must be the main consideration for anyone whose business is mass transportation.