By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

ROAD MISHAP. A road accident involving a car and a motorcycle in Davao City in this undated photo. Most of the road traffic incidents during the holiday season involve motorists not wearing safety accessories such as helmets and seatbelts. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 284 cases of road traffic injuries from Dec. 22 to 6 a.m. of Dec 27.

This is nine percent higher compared to the road traffic injuries logged last year.

Most (249) of the road traffic incidents during the holiday season involved motorists not wearing safety accessories such as helmets and seatbelts — 196 were motorcycle accidents and 53 consumed alcohol before hitting the road.

The DOH advised motorists not to travel when tired or drunk as this state can affect a person’s coordination, concentration and quick response to emergency situations.

“Ensure that you have 7 to 8 hours of sleep before traveling. Ugaliing magsuot ng helmet para sa mga nagmo-motorsiklo at seatbelt para sa mga nagmamaneho at mga pasahero ng sasakyan (Make it a habit to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle and a seatbelt when driving or riding a car),” the DOH said.

“Sundin ang itinakdang speed limit at mga road signs upang matiyak ang ligtas at maayos na biyahe at upang maiwasan ang aksidente (Observe the set speed limit and road signs to ensure safe travel and avoid accidents),” it added. (PNA)