The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a sobering report on road safety during the holiday festivities, confirming two fatalities and hundreds of injuries from traffic accidents.
Holiday Road Crash Statistics Revealed
In a recent social media update, the health department disclosed data collected from ten sentinel hospitals across the country. The monitoring period covered December 21 to December 26, at 5 a.m. During this short span, authorities recorded a total of 263 road crash injuries.
Tragically, two of these incidents resulted in death. The DOH specifically noted that both individuals who died were riding motorcycles and were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Alarming Lack of Safety Precautions
A deeper look into the data reveals a widespread disregard for basic safety measures among those injured. The DOH stated that a staggering 224 of the 263 injured individuals were not using any safety accessories. This includes helmets for motorcycle riders and seatbelts for car occupants.
Furthermore, the report highlights motorcycles as the predominant vehicle involved in these accidents. 193 of the total road crash injuries, or nearly three-quarters, involved motorcycles. This underscores the particular vulnerability of riders on two-wheeled vehicles.
Alcohol Remains a Contributing Factor
Despite repeated warnings, driving under the influence continues to be a major problem. The Department of Health confirmed that 31 of the injured individuals were under the influence of alcohol when their accidents occurred.
This early holiday season report from the DOH serves as a critical reminder for all travelers. The combination of increased holiday traffic, potential alcohol consumption, and failure to use basic safety gear creates a perfect storm for road tragedies. Authorities urge the public to prioritize safety by always wearing helmets and seatbelts, and by never driving after drinking.
