DOH reminds of safe travel practices during holidays

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday called on Filipinos to exercise caution when traveling as thousands hit the road for the Christmas and year-end holidays.

In a radio interview, DOH Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Gloria Balboa said many bring their own vehicles to attend parties or to visit their hometowns, increasing the risk of road crash injuries.

READ: DOH reminds public to make holidays revelry safe, healthy

Before leaving home, Balboa advised motorists to remember the BLOWBAGETS advisory: Check the battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine and tires of their vehicles, and oneself.

“Huwag uminom kung magmamaneho. Saka kelangan, huwag puyat at huwag pagod dahil ang tendency niyan baka antukin baka makatulog habang nag-da-drive (Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive when you’re sleepy and tired because the tendency is you’ll fall asleep while driving),” she said.

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“Huwag po tayo magpa-distract, huwag magme-message, huwag magse-cellphone habang nagda-drive, baka mamaya nawala na tayo sa concentration sa pagda-drive, maaaksidente tayo (Avoid distractions, don’t send messages, refrain from using your cellphone while driving, you may get into an accident when you lose concentration on driving),” she added.

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Last week, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Romando Artes said 62,723 cases of road crashes and 332 fatalities were recorded from January to November 2024.

Four-wheeled vehicles topped the list of vehicles involved in road crashes contributing 54 percent of the total cases. They are followed by motorcycles with 22.03 percent and trucks with 7.41 percent.

The seven major public roads with the most truck-related mishaps are C-5 Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, Marcos Highway, Roxas Boulevard, R-10 Road and Quezon Avenue.