By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported a 24.4% increase in vehicular accidents, rising from 287 incidents in 2023 to 357 in 2024.
The 2024 data included 22 cases of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, 95 cases involving physical injury, and 240 cases involving damage to property.
Despite the overall increase in accidents, cases of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide dropped by 21.43%, with six fewer incidents compared to 28 in 2023.
Reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury also declined by 4.04%, with cases decreasing from 99 in 2023 to 95 in 2024.
However, incidents of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property surged by 48.76%, or 79 additional cases, rising from 161 in 2023 to 240 in 2024.
Overall, these incidents fall under the public safety indicator, which also increased by 23.53%, climbing from 289 cases in 2023 to 357 in 2024.
Police Lt. Col. Lester Leada, head of the Bacolod Police Operations Management Unit, attributed most accidents to human error, such as lack of foresight or driving under the influence of alcohol.
Leada explained that the police lack equipment to measure alcohol consumption and are not authorized to enforce related regulations, as this responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
He added that other contributing factors include mechanical errors, faulty signals, disregard for traffic signs, and misunderstandings during rush hour.
