THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday reminded the public anew to obey traffic rules amid an increase in the number of pedestrians being hit by speeding vehicles in Metro Manila this year.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes made the appeal following a traffic accident in the southbound portion of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Guadalupe, Makati last Sunday night involving a pedestrian trying to cross the highway when he was struck by a speeding motorcycle.
The pedestrian and the motorcycle rider were both injured.
“We are not remiss in reminding the public. We also made several posts in which we reiterated our appeal not to cross EDSA. We have footbridges that the public can use,” said Artes.
Data from the MMDA Metro Manila Accident Reporting System and Analysis System (MMARAS) showed that from January to August this year, 2,269 pedestrians were hit by speeding vehicles on EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis.
Last year, 3,161 pedestrians were hit by vehicles.
In 2019, or prior to the pandemic when travel restrictions were imposed, the MMDA reported 4,413 cases of “hit-and-run” while cases of “hit pedestrians” stood at 4,722.
It also showed that in “hit-and-run” cases, there were 3,843 damaged properties, eight fatalities and 562 injuries, while in “hit pedestrians” accidents, there were 117 deaths and 4,605 injuries.
Last month, Artes said a study conducted by the agency showed that every road accident fatality cost, on average, P3.5 million, including lost income and damage to property.
