A Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) and a motorcycle figured into an accident early morning on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the crossing of Junquera and Colot street in Barangay Parian, Cebu City. | Photo screen grabbed from CCTV footage
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Aside from the lack of public transportation and inaccessible sidewalks, Cebu City is also facing a growing number of road accidents.
During the Cebu City Mobility Summit held last Monday, September 26, 2022, data from the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) showed that the since the start of 2022, the city records an average of 408 vehicular and road accidents per month.
Paul Gotiong, officer-in-charge of CCTO, said vehicle accidents are ‘one of the major factors of traffic congestion’ here.
“I think we have, based on our data, almost 500 accidents during the early months (of 2022)… and this is roughly 13 accidents per day,” Gotiong told the audience at Monday’s event.
The CCTO executive cites overspeeding, disregard for traffic signs, and drunk driving as the top reasons behind accidents that occurred in the city.
On top of traffic congestion, accidents can also translate to opportunities lost, Gotiong added.
Quoting a study conducted in 2019 by researchers in Manila, Gotiong said vehicle accidents can also mean P100 billion of opportunities lost.
The Cebu City Government held a two-day mobility summit to tackle concerns on public transportation and mobility in the city.
The activity also formed part of the administration of Mayor Michael Rama’s bid to transform the capital into ‘Singapore-like’.
/bmjo
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