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MANILA - Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group reminded passengers this upcoming holiday season to wear seat belts for safety.

PNP-HPG Director Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo said bus passengers are not used to wearing seat belts.

“Problema lang kasi natin hindi nasanay ang ating mga road bus passengers na mag-seatbelt. Gamitin ang seatbelt ng mga bus, lahat dapat ng buses may seatbelt, the seatbelt is makakapag-save ng lives,” he said.

PNP-HPG said they expect the number of bus trips this holiday season to increase up to 26 percent because a lot of people will be going to the provinces.

“More vehicles on the road, more people in the streets mas maraming accidents,” Fajardo explained.

PNP-HPG advised the public to make sure their vehicles are road-worthy before long drives and avoid overloading.

“There’s an average of 29 deaths in a day, kaya pinag-iingat natin ang mga nagbi-biyahe to be extra careful lalo na magpa-Pasko. Prepare yourself to a long ride, so you may be able to reach your destination. Ma secure mo ang sarili mo, masecure mo ang mga kasama mo at ma-secure mo ang ibang nasa kalsada,” Fajardo said.

“Basta kung ilan ang seatbelt, yun lang ang laman ng sasakyan. Ang mga Pilipino, pipilitin basta’t magkakasya to the point pati ang driver na hindi na makapag-drive nang matino kahit nagbabanggaan na ang mga siko,” he added.

PNP-HPG also reminded those who will be going to parties not to drink and drive.

Fajaro said children below six should never be allowed to sit in front of the car.

For those who will go on long drives, Fajardo advised drivers to park their vehicles and take naps when sleepy.

“Kapag inaantok, igilid ipahinga that is for your safety and safety of other motorists na nasa kalsada,” he said.

PNP-HPG said to always remember BLOWBAGETS (battery, lights, oil, water, brake, air, gas, engine, tire, and self) during long drives.

“Lalo sa water, sa traffic ngayon kung kailangan mong dagdagan para hindi uminit sa traffic. Tire is baka kalbo na, accident prone yon. Especially ngayon ang kalsada, madulas, maulan kapag ang aitng gulogn ay pudpod na hindi basta basta kakapit ang brakes,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo said it is the driver’s duty to check a vehicle's road worthiness.

“Ang tao ang nagko-control ng sasakyan, at tao rin ang nakakaalam kung ano ang roadworthiness nung sasakyan. hindi pwedeng mechanical, the moment na may sasakyan ka it’s always on the part na driver to maintain the car to see to it na roadworthy ang sasakyan,” he said.

PNP-HPG data showed that the number one cause of road crash is due to human factor with 8,585 accidents in 2018. This is followed by mechanical defect with 320 recorded accidents, and road condition with 273.