Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Kamati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — With Christmas parties and holiday gatherings now expected to be at their peak, authorities are calling on the public to exercise discipline and self-control to avoid road crashes, some of which result in severe injuries and death.

Data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority show that in 2023, road crashes totaled just a little less than 86,000.

Majority caused damage to property and were non-fatal. Human error was identified as the top cause of road crashes. Driving under the influence of alcohol, fatigue and tiredness are among the reasons that affect driver behavior which may inevitably lead to human errors.

From January to November this year human error, once again, contributed to a greater majority of the almost 67,000 road crashes.

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MMDA’s Chief of Special Operations Group Strike Force Gabriel Go says that while no agency can really control the amount of alcohol an individual can consume, it would be best to plan ahead and designate someone to drive in place of another who has had a lot to drink.

“Kung kelangan po natin ng driver, let’s make sure na yung driver natin ay reliable at hindi iinom. Yung mindset natin, kelangan natin ayusin para naman hindi tayo maka cause ng any fatal injuries or worse accidents,” he told ABS-CBN News.

(If we need a driver, let's make sure they are reliable and will not be drinking. We have to adjust our mindset so we don't cause any fatal injuries or worse accidents)

Another option that is widely available for those who cannot avoid intoxication is opting to take a transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) or other modes of public transportation.

BINGE DRINKING HIGH AMONG ADULTS

In the recently published National Nutrition Survey by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 37.9% or four in every 10 Filipino adults aged 20-59 years are said to be current alcohol drinkers or those who have consumed an alcoholic beverage in the last 30 days.

The rate is said to be significantly higher among males.

An even greater number, 58.7% or six out of every 10, are binge drinkers or those who consume excessive volumes of alcohol at a given time.

The FNRI says this, coupled with an equally high percentage of adults with insufficient physical activity, may eventually lead to the development of non-communicable diseases in the future.

“Nandiyan po ang hypertension, diabetes at iba pang heart diseases. Yun ang nakakatakot pagdating ng 10 years after or 5 years after kung magpatuloy ang risky behavior especially ng kabataan,” says Chona Patalen, FNRI Supervising Science Research Specialist.

(There iis hypertension, diabetes and other heart diseases. That is worrying in five or ten years if the risky behavior continues)

Both health and transportation experts are one in saying that while there is nothing wrong with enjoying parties this season, one must also be mindful of why the season is being celebrated in the first place.

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This alone should be reason enough to instill discipline, healthy eating habits and road courtesy for both individual and public safety.

“At the end of the day, we have to remember na may inuuwian tayong mga pamilya. Pag hindi kakayanin, don’t force ourselves to drive. Magpahinga, kung may matutulugan muna, do that instead of driving and causing injuries and crashes... Ayaw natin na after this joyful season ay magkakaroon naman ng pagluluksa,” Go said.

(At the end of the day, we have to remember that we have families waiting at home. If we cannot drive, let's not force ourselves to. Rest or take a nap first instead of driving and causing injuries and crashes. We do not want this joyful season to turn to mourning.)