Bus accidents prompt DPWH to conduct road safety audits

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas is set to conduct public road safety audits following an incident last Wednesday involving a Ceres bus.

The bus bound for Cebu City from southern Cebu rammed into the center island before hitting a tree on the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR). 

The tree was uprooted due to the impact.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident, which was the second time that a Ceres bus figured in an accident this year.

Jonathan Tumulak, Cebu Province focal person for traffic management, said the first incident in February happened less than a hundred meters from the other day's incident.

It resulted in the death of two passengers.

To address the accidents along CSCR, Tumulak met with Engineer Leslie Molina of DPWH 7 - Second Engineering District and Deej Pantinople, a representative of First Legislative District Representative Samsam Gullas.

"Ang DPWH mopahigayon og road safety audit sa CSCR arun masusi ang posibling hinungdan sa sunod-sunod nga disgrasya," Tumulak said.

The audit results would help determine the needed road modifications for it to be a safer thoroughfare.

"Matud ni Molina nga posibling dungagan ang speed limit signages, pagbutang og metal barrier, rumble strip ug uban pang devices nga ma-control ang gikusgun sa dagan sa mga sakyanan sa CSCR," Tumulak said.

Rumble strips are used on roads or highways to reduce crossover incidents and resultant head-on collisions. — KBQ (FREEMAN)