The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recently released the road accident figures from the beginning of the year up to the end of July. The tally: 44,493.

This is actually quite alarming since the figures are only for the first 7 months of the year. In December 2022, the MMDA reported close to 58,000 road crashes for the whole year, or an average of 157 incidents daily. Based on the recent report by the MMDA, it means that for the first 7 months of the year, Metro Manila has been experiencing an average of almost 211 road accidents daily.

Out of the 44,493 reported road accidents, about 32,800 resulted in damage to property, while 11,525 incidents are non-fatal. 168 were unfortunate fatal road crashes.

Programs of the MMDA

For 2023, the MMDA has implemented some programs that the agency thinks would make our roads safer for everyone. One example is the re-implementation of the Motorcycle Lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Under the Motorcycle Lane policy, motorcycles were given an exclusive lane along the busy thoroughfare. Other types of vehicles like private and Public Utility Vehicles are prohibited from using the exclusive MC Lane.

The MMDA has also continued to implement the bicycle lane along major thoroughfares throughout Metro Manila. Vehicles that are not supposed to be on the bicycle lane are fined by the agency, keeping cyclists and other Personal Mobility Device (PMD) users safe.

In July of this year, the MMDA inaugurated its state-of-the-art Communications and Command Center (CCC) that will serve as the agency’s “nerve center of Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares.” MMDA’s CCC. Its 403 CCTVs scattered across Metro Manila will be used to better monitor traffic, report reckless drivers, and immediately respond to emergency situations.