TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 30 (PIA) -- Camp Francisco Dagohoy, the headquarters of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), cited eigth contributory factors for public safety incidents which could affect Bohol’s road to economic recovery.
The BPPO reported that 1,002 crime incidents have been recorded, driving up the total crimes in Bohol.
While the 1,002 non-index crimes this year are significantly 42% lesser compared to 1,739 cases logged last year, Police Supt. Cheryl
Boniao said traffic-related incidents is a major contributory factor to crime incidents.
Boniao shared with the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) that teenage driving, reckless driving, driving (vehicles with) mechanical defects, overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving in damaged roads, premature overtaking, and improper turning are public safety concerns.
As the PPOC looks at crimes that affect public order, crimes that threaten public safety is another PPOC concern, she added.
The Land Transportation Office, however, is now transitioning to a more credible driver’s testing prior to issuance of licenses, and are setting up checkpoints to keep off the roads non-road-worthy vehicles, those who violate traffic laws, and those who implement unnecessary vehicle modifications in the intent of upgrading vehicle performance, but are essentially making their stock vehicles tough to maneuver.
Boniao shared their planned interventions on the said concerns, with the BPPO planning to produce informational leaflets to raise awareness and advice on reducing traffic-related incidents.
They also plan to supply high visibility jackets to youngsters who often use the roads with poor lighting, and they will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways on street light installations to improve road visibility, road signs, and accident-prone areas.
The Philippine National Police has requested the Land Transportation Office for stricter regulations, the use of appropriate headlights, helmets, seatbelts, speed limits, child restraints, and the strict application of penalties and sanctions to offenders. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
