A few months ago, a dear friend died a preventable death due to a collision with a motorcycle without headlights.
The Department of Health reports that vehicular crash injuries is one of the top leading causes of injury deaths among Filipinos. It is the second leading cause of death for children 0-17 years of age worldwide. And half of those in vehicular crashes worldwide, were between the ages of 15 – 44, and were mostly males.
In 2012, there were over 3.4 million registered motorcycles and tricycles in the country according to the Philippines Statistics Authority. This is at least four times the number of cars registered.
Motorcycle injuries have the highest fatality among vehicular crashes claiming 25 percent of all vehicular deaths.
However, the reports admit there is under-reporting of motorcycle crashes and other vehicular accidents nationwide.
There are numerous safety issues that we face when walking or driving on our roads, including the lack of observance of traffic laws by motorcycle and all other drivers.
There is one phenomena, however, that has not been specifically addressed in any formal report, which is the fact that motorcycle drivers often ride with headlights off, or headlights too dim to be seen.
People are aware of it, and though it may have improved over the years, there are still an alarming number of vehicles on the road running without lights.
This even occurs along the national highway in the provinces where there are no street lights to aid in spotting these motorcycles.
This is a national tragedy that most likely result in numerous preventable injuries, and even deaths, but we have no way of knowing because national reporting does not provide specific information on causes of vehicular crashes.
The DOH admits that all vehicular crashes are lumped together in one number without differentiation.
When I did my own informal research on the cost of motorcycle headlamps, it ranges from P60- P250. Bulb replacements could be from every two years to yearly to every six months, depending on whether the motorcycle is used on a regular basis at night.
There are newer Honda models now with headlights that stay on even during the day.
The cost of brain surgery to reduce swelling after head trauma caused by a motorcycle accident ranges from P100,000 to P250,000, not to mention the cost of suffering, and possible cost of life.
For less than P500 a year, you can light up your way, stay safe, and save the lives of others.
Change starts with one person. We need to talk about this, and gently remind each other of the serious consequences of our actions. We deserve safe streets to walk and ride on.
Be kind to each other and to yourself, let us keep those headlights on.
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Author’s email: floridamsn@safe-mail.net
