Iloilo province notes increase in deaths due to road mishaps

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) reported an increase in the number of deaths resulting from road incidents.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said the IPPO recorded 69 vehicular-related deaths from Jan to Oct 13, 2020.

But for the same period this year, the IPPO logged 94 cases, or a 36 percent increase.

“That’s why, we enjoin our motorists and pedestrians alike to exercise diligence,” Gorero said.

The number of deaths somehow corresponds with the number of incidents with approximately five road mishaps recorded in Iloilo each day in the said period.

Based on statistics released by the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit, 1,470 road incidents happened so far this year.

But Gorero pointed out that the number is still lower compared with 1,546 cases last year in the same period.

Reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury also increased from 618 to 693, or by more than 12 percent.

On the other hand, reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property dropped by 24.49 percent, from 859 to only 683.

Gorero is hoping that the massive awareness drive through social media, aggressive random checkpoints and joint operations by the PNP and Land Transportation Office (LTO) will prevent the statistics from reaching the tipping point.

“Road safety relies heavily on the motorists. Everyone must be defensive when driving,” he said.