Amid holiday season revelries, authorities urge motorists to observe road safety

Local

AS Christmas celebrations and year-end travel intensify, health authorities are sounding the alarm over road safety.

This follows at least 263 road crash injuries recorded nationwide in just five days, with motorcycles, alcohol use, and the absence of safety gear emerging as the most common risk factors.

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday, Dec. 26, that the figure covers injuries logged from Dec. 21 to 5 a.m. of Dec. 26 based on data from 10 sentinel hospitals monitored by the agency.

Of the total, 62 cases were newly recorded during the period, which the DOH said is 7 percent lower compared to the same timeframe in 2024, but still a cause for concern as holiday movement continues toward New Year celebrations.

DOH data showed that the majority of cases involved motorcycles, with 193 injuries linked to motorcycle road crashes.

Alarmingly, 224 patients were not using safety accessories, such as helmets or seatbelts, at the time of the accident.

Alcohol use also remained a significant factor, with 31 cases involving patients under the influence of liquor, while two of the reported fatalities were motorcycle riders.

The DOH renewed its appeal for motorists to drive cautiously, avoid alcohol before traveling, and strictly use protective gear, warning that risky behavior on the road often leads to severe injuries or death.

Health officials noted that the spike in road crash injuries follows a familiar pattern during the Christmas and New Year season, when social gatherings, late-night celebrations, and long-distance travel increase.

In a previous advisory, the DOH warned that fatigue, alcohol consumption, and reckless driving, particularly among motorcycle riders, significantly heighten the risk of crashes during the holidays.

Earlier data from the DOH’s Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS) showed that from December 2024 to January 2025, a total of 11,146 patients were treated for road crash injuries in 210 hospitals and infirmaries nationwide. This is nearly double the 5,785 cases recorded in October and November 2024.

Of those injured during that period, 1,173 had consumed alcohol, reinforcing drunk driving as a major contributor to holiday-related road crashes.

The DOH reiterated its reminder to motorists: “Don’t drink and rest before driving, especially if you have a long way to go.”

Road crashes are not the only concern during the holidays. The DOH earlier warned that injuries from illegal and unregulated firecrackers often rise alongside traffic accidents during the season.

Dr. Shelbay Blanco, Medical Officer IV of the DOH Central Visayas Center for Health Development (CVCHD), cautioned the public against firecracker use, particularly illegal types.

“As much as possible, dili ta magpabuto ilabi na mga illegal firecrackers. Giawhag sa nato nga if mag fireworks ta kay on open field,” Blanco said during a discussion on December 3.

Blanco also warned that firecracker smoke can trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions, posing additional risks to children, older persons, and those with underlying illnesses.

She stressed that drunk driving remains one of the most preventable causes of holiday road crashes.

“If nakainom ta, stay put nalang sa ta. Pahuwason nato atong lawas sa alcohol usa ta modrive,” Blanco said.

The DOH said alcohol impairment, combined with the failure to wear helmets or seatbelts, often results in more serious injuries when accidents occur.

To brace for the expected influx of emergency cases, the DOH placed health facilities nationwide under Code White from December 16, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

Under Code White, hospitals, emergency rooms, primary care facilities, and Rural Health Units are placed on alert, with medical personnel on standby to respond to emergencies.

Blanco appealed to the public to celebrate responsibly, noting that many health workers remain stretched after responding to recent calamities.

“Be responsible in terms of merry-making. Tabang na sad ni ninyo sa atong mga front liners nga dili ma overwhelm,” he said.

Last year’s holiday season saw a similar surge. From December 2024 to January 3, 2025, the DOH recorded over 700 firecracker-related injuries nationwide, while road crash injuries rose by more than 50 percent from December 21 to January 6.

In Central Visayas alone, the DOH CVCHD logged 166 road crash cases at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center during the same period.

Nationally, the DOH recorded 703 road crash incidents during the 2024–2025 holidays, resulting in eight deaths.

Of these, 71 percent involved motorcycles, and five of the fatalities were motorcycle riders. Nearly nine in every 10 crashes involved individuals who failed to wear helmets or seatbelts, often overlapping with alcohol use.(TGP)