Heartbreaking but preventable

Vehicular accidents seem to be becoming more common nowadays.

Last Tuesday, three members of a family of four died after their black sedan collided with a wing van along the national highway in Barangay Dunggoan, Danao City.

Last Wednesday, three were injured after their pickup truck crashed into a road divider in Barangay Yati, Liloan town.

Last Friday a Toyota Fortuner and motorcycle figured in an accident in Carcar City where the SUV somehow ended up on top of the motorcycle. Fortunately there were no serious injuries.

Yesterday morning two men died after their motorcycle crashed along the Transcentral Highway in Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban town.

We are sure there are more incidents like these than didn’t make the news. Is this string of accidents just a mere coincidence or is it proof that more and more motorists are taking road safety for granted?

Majority of us travel to and from work or leisure every day. It is easy for us to feel safe on the road whether we are commuting or actually the one behind the wheel. However, the truth is that the road is a very dangerous place.

A safe situation can turn into a dangerous one in an instant. All it takes is someone who doesn’t follow the traffic rules, someone who missed a cue, someone who fell asleep, or someone who just doesn’t care about the others on the road.

These accidents may appear random in nature, but these always happen for a reason. They are always the result of something, of a series of events.

What makes it more heartbreaking is that road accidents are actually preventable. If someone had more sleep, had more training, didn’t miss a sign, didn’t miss a cue, maintained his or her vehicle better, or just paid enough attention on the road then a life could have been saved.

Perhaps it’s time for authorities to require motorists, and for drivers themselves, to brush up on how to stay safe on the road.