The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported a 23.53 percent increase in vehicular accidents in the city in 2024, with 357 incidents recorded compared to only 289 in 2023.
Maj. Junji Liba, chief of the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit, attributed the rise to a lack of driver discipline, often stemming from inadequate driver education. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the “blowbagets” checklist – battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self – a crucial pre-driving inspection.
“While many drivers are familiar with the ‘BLOWBAGETS’ checklist, approximately 90 percent of them fail to comply,” Liba said during the BCPO radio program Kadampig Mo.
The increasing number of vehicles on the road, exceeding 100,000 registered vehicles, has also contributed to the rise in accidents, he added.
Liba acknowledged that while Bacolod City has several traffic ordinances, some penalties may not be sufficiently deterrent to instill driver discipline. He also emphasized the need for improved road infrastructure, including better signage and road markings, to enhance road safety.
