3 months ago
54
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
A multiple-vehicular accident happened at the intersection of United Nations Avenue and Taft Avenue on Dec. 9, 2024, leaving six people injured.
The STAR / Edd Gumban
MANILA, Philippines — Road crash injuries more than doubled during the recent New Year celebrations compared to 2025, reaching 1,384 cases as of Monday, January 5.
The Department of Health said this represents a 101% increase from the 690 cases recorded during the same period last year.
Similar to fireworks-related injuries, a large share of those affected were children and youth, with nearly half aged 15 to 29.
Since December 21, 2025, the agency noted that 85% of cases involved motorists and passengers who did not wear helmets or seatbelts. Most incidents, specifically 989 cases, were motorcycle crashes.
Roughly 171 of the road crash injuries also involved riders who were under the influence of alcohol.
Ten deaths have been reported from road crashes over the 2026 New Year celebrations, including seven motorcyclists, most riding without a helmet, and three pedestrians.
The DOH reported that most road crash injuries occurred on New Year’s Eve, followed by December 22 and Christmas Day. A five-year analysis shows that injuries from the 2025 to 2026 festive period were the highest on record.
“The data show high variability with multiple peaks, reflecting how road traffic injuries are strongly influenced by holiday travel, social activities and weather conditions,” their report read.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said during a press conference that the agency will focus more on reducing road crash injuries, treating them as a public health issue — especially as cases surged compared to other festive injuries, such as fireworks, which reportedly declined from last year.
