DOH logs 18 new holiday road crashes, total now 656

The Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday that the road traffic incidents recorded during the holiday season have climbed to 656.

Eighteen new cases were added to the tally that spanned from December 22, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

The 656 total cases are 32.7% higher than the cases recorded during the same period last year.

Of them, 569 were found to not using safety accessories when the accidents occurred and 123 involved motorists who were under the influence of alcohol.

A total of 468 cases involved motorcycles or scooters.

Seven people died due to these mishaps, with four of them being in motorcycle crashes.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday said he considers the high number of road traffic incidents throughout this holiday season as “bad news.”

“Hindi nakakagulat na of the 72% motorcycle riders, 90% or 9 out of 10 of these riders who were injured did not wear helmet. Hindi naka-helmet. So ‘pagka next year bantayan natin ‘yung hindi naghe-helmet talaga kasi hindi sila magkaka-injury kung naka-helmet sila,” Herbosa said.

(We’re not surprised that 90% or 9 out of 10 of these riders who were injured were not wearing helmets. Next year, we have to monitor those who are not wearing helmets because they will not get injured if they did so.)

The Health chief also underscored the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Helmet Use Law, especially in the provinces. —RF, GMA Integrated News