DOH reports 82% rise in road crash injuries during holidays

The Department of Health (DOH) reported an 82 percent increase in road crash injuries during the 2025 holiday season compared to the previous year.

Data from 10 sentinel hospitals revealed a total of 1,113 road injury cases from December 21, 2025, to January 2, 2026.

Motorcycles accounted for 71 percent of these cases, with 787 incidents.

A significant majority, 965 cases, were attributed to the failure to use safety accessories like seatbelts and helmets, while 135 were caused by drunk driving.

Seven fatalities were recorded, including two pedestrians and five motorcycle riders or passengers.

The DOH reiterated safety reminders such as wearing approved helmets and seatbelts, avoiding drunk or tired driving, adhering to speed limits and road signs, getting adequate sleep, and refraining from mobile phone use while driving.