Statistics on road accidents in the Philippines all paint the sorry state of traffic safety in the country.
From January to July of 2023, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded more than 44,000 vehicular accidents in Metro Manila. Over 32,000 resulted in damage to property, with 11,525 non-fatal injuries and 168 fatal injuries.[1]
To be a wise driver, you need to know the risks on the road. Arm yourself with knowledge with this list of the top causes of road accidents in the Philippines.
Based on data from the MMDA and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG),[2] here are the top causes of road accidents in the Philippines. Note that human error accounts for most of these incidents.
You’ll also learn a few tips to avoid such road catastrophes.
Loss of control over a car is usually caused by a tire problem. The tire either blows out or loses traction. Skidding also happens when the road is slippery, which inadvertently results in road accidents.
When you feel like you’re losing control over your car, remember: don’t panic. Panicking will only cloud your judgment, leading to actions that will cause more damage. Focus on the road and stay aware of your surroundings.
Avoid slamming on the brakes. Instead, apply pressure steadily to prevent losing control further.
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Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the top causes of road accidents. Alcohol slows the driver's reflexes, weakens reasoning, and affects motor skills—making anyone unfit to drive.
Despite government warnings and news about road accidents due to drunk driving, people still get behind the wheel even when they have one too many.
Read more: All You Need to Know About the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law
Common mechanical troubles that lead to road accidents include worn-out/under-inflated tires, suspension and steering issues, headlight/taillight malfunction, engine and transmission problems, and faulty windshield wipers.
If these problems aren’t addressed as soon as possible, your vehicle is simply a car accident case waiting to happen.
For instance, problematic brakes may cause a collision. Light-related malfunctions may make your car invisible, especially at night or during rainy days. This may cause other vehicles to collide with yours.
Read more: 10 Driving Tips to Make Late Night Driving Safer
Brake failure is another mechanical defect that often leads to road accidents. We're discussing this separately to emphasize just how dangerous—yet preventable—it is.
There are many reasons behind brake failures. For one, the brakes might have gotten hard or brittle. In turn, they can’t grip the wheel rotor disk properly, making it difficult to stop the car.
Low brake fluid level is another reason. When this happens, the wheel cylinders don’t receive enough pressure from your brake pedal.
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Blame it on the adrenaline rush—we often see motorists who enjoy driving as if they're on a racetrack. Other drivers break the speed limit because they're in a hurry.
Regardless of what drives them to do that, nothing can justify recklessness on the road. Pedestrians, other motorists, and sometimes the driver’s own passengers get injured in auto accidents because of overspeeding.
When you drive too fast, your control over your car is compromised, making it difficult to navigate turns and curves. You won’t have enough time to avoid a crash.
Due to the high impact brought about by speed, the effects of overspeeding may be more severe than those of usual road accidents.
Every driver knows the importance of keeping their eyes on the road—but it can be a challenge for those who need to multi-task (like texting or making calls while driving) or want to check their social media feeds. As a result, their reaction time is affected.
The government bans the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving.
Read more: Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel: What to Know About the Anti-Distracted Driving Act
Authorities often cite bad turning as one of the top causes of car accident cases. This bad driving practice involves changing direction without turning the signal lights on.
Turning without signaling is not only dangerous—it also shows a lack of consideration for other drivers. It's never easy for any driver to adjust speed and direction in the blink of an eye.
Overtaking occurs when a driver moves ahead of another vehicle. It leads to accidents when the erring driver suddenly switches lanes without checking the rear-view or side mirror.
Collision is also likely to happen when the other driver miscalculates the distance and speed of an oncoming vehicle from another lane.
The Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act 4136) requires drivers to let pedestrians cross the road, as long as they're within a pedestrian lane.
But the problem is that pasaway pedestrians cause as much trouble as kamote drivers do. For instance, they may catch the driver by surprise, even if the latter is driving within speed limits.
Read more: 6 Traffic Laws in the Philippines to Remember When Driving
Here's a quick summary of the top causes of road accidents in the Philippines:
Don’t worry, you can prevent the causes of road accidents in the Philippines. To ensure you're safe each time you drive, be knowledgeable about traffic laws and rules, drive carefully along accident-prone roads, and regularly maintain your car.
Don't forget to avail of a car insurance policy as well! Get a free quote from Moneymax by clicking the banner below:
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