ALARMING TREND: 20 road crashes recorded in one day in Cebu City

Local

CEBU City’s road safety situation has reached an “alarming” level after 20 crashes were recorded in a single day, including a fatal collision involving an ambulance and two students, authorities said.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) reported that of the 20 incidents logged on Tuesday, April 14, eight involved motorcycles.

One of the most serious incidents occurred at the Archbishop Reyes Avenue flyover in Barangay Luz, where an ambulance reportedly collided with a motorcycle carrying two students.

The crash left one student dead and another in critical condition.

CCTO head Raquel Arce described the spike in road crashes as deeply concerning and called for stricter adherence to traffic rules among all motorists.

“We consider the situation alarming,” Arce said in an interview on Wednesday, as she urged drivers to prioritize safety over speed, even during emergencies.

Arce emphasized that while emergency response requires urgency, it should not come at the expense of public safety.

She cautioned against counterflowing, particularly in congested areas, and that such maneuvers significantly increase the risk of collisions.

“Even if responding to emergencies, drivers should avoid counterflowing, or at least exercise extreme caution,” she said.

Arce added that authorities are still determining the extent of the ambulance’s actions prior to the crash.

She also issued a broader reminder to motorists to remain patient and mindful on the road.

“Dili lang ta magdali-dali sa byahe… Bahalag malate, ang importante makabalik ta sa atong panimalay nga safe and sound,” Arce said.

Following the incident, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Central Visayas released an advisory reiterating that emergency vehicle drivers must refrain from counterflowing unless absolutely necessary and must exercise extreme caution at all times.

The BFP stressed that while rapid response is critical, unsafe driving practices can lead to more harm than good, potentially endangering lives and causing further delays.

Emergency personnel were reminded to follow traffic regulations, use sirens and warning devices properly, and coordinate with traffic authorities when needed.

Road safety advocacy group Cebu Road Heroes also condemned the incident, calling it a “tragic” reminder of the need for discipline among all road users.

The group identified the fatality as Braille Nichole Kwek and said another student, Juan Antonio Ladioray, is recovering from injuries.

In a statement, the group called for a “thorough and transparent investigation” into the crash and urged city officials to review safety measures in high-risk areas such as flyovers and major intersections.

“Even emergency vehicles must adhere to safety protocols, and all drivers must remain hyper-vigilant,” the group said.

The organization also pressed for immediate improvements to road safety systems, warning that without decisive action, similar incidents could occur.

Authorities have yet to release the full findings of the investigation into the fatal crash, including whether protocol violations were committed by the ambulance driver.

City officials, meanwhile, are expected to review existing traffic enforcement measures and coordinate with concerned agencies to address what CCTO described as a growing road safety crisis.

The CCTO reiterated its call for discipline among motorists, and that preventing further loss of life depends on stricter compliance with traffic laws and a collective commitment to road safety.(TGP)