Philippine Lethal Highways and Streets

by Ronel Forbes

October 13, 2022

Accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, and the likelihood that you will be involved in one increases when you are driving. These accidents might be quite small, while others can be so devastating that they claim thousands of lives every year.

Given its poor road conditions, obstinate drivers laxly enforced traffic laws, and unfavorable topographical profile, the Philippines is not a stranger to fatal traffic accidents, particularly on provincial roads with larger cars.

They frequently carry travelers who weren’t aware of their fate.

Most Risky Roads in Metro Manila

On the roadways of Metro Manila, defensive driving is essential. It might be quite helpful to know where the accident-prone regions are. It will serve as a reminder to you to drive more cautiously and to exercise the appropriate caution on the road.

Here are the roads that are known for having the most accidents.

C-5 Road

The Circumferential Road 5 is the next location on the list of Metro Manila’s accident-prone regions (C-5). 32.5 kilometers. Las Pinas, Paranaque, Pasay, Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Quezon City, and Valenzuela are all traversed by this stretch of the highway. With a total of 5,208 traffic incidents in 2020 (including property damage, non-fatal injuries, and fatalities), it comes in second place to EDSA.

Along C-5, there were 4,230 traffic accidents that caused property damage, 960 that caused non-fatal injuries, and 18 that caused fatalities.

Similar to EDSA, accidents occurs along C-5 in the early morning hours when automobile and truck drivers frequently exceed the posted speed limits. The risk of pebbles being thrown and striking your windshield also exists, primarily from pedestrian overhead bridges.

Areas Along C-5 Road That Are Accident-Prone

These are the sections of C-5 where accidents occurred most frequently in 2020, according to the MMDA road safety report:

Near Aurora Boulevard
C.P. Area of Garcia Avenue, Magsaysay Avenue, and Pansol
Area of Lanuza Avenue and Julia Vargas Avenue
(SM Aura and Market! Market!) McKinley Hill
Area of Pinagsama and Diego Silang BCDA

EDSA

The likelihood of a collision rises on EDSA because it is the longest and busiest thoroughfare in the metro area. Since there were so many accidents on this road, MMDA officials decided to bless it in 2012 after a bus accident on the EDSA Ortigas flyover.

The MMDA analysis states that the deadliest traffic collisions on EDSA typically happen early in the morning and late at night when there is less traffic. Road signs are disregarded and traffic laws are broken by drivers who are speeding and jaywalking.

EDSA’s Incident-Prone Areas

The most hazardous sections of EDSA are revealed by the MMDA’s most recent road safety studies. To prevent meeting an accident, proceed through these regions with extreme caution:

P. Aurora Boulevard Tuazon Boulevard
Ortigas Avenue region (Guadix Drive to Rochester St.)
along Quezon Avenue
Area of Timog Avenue, Kamias Road, and QMart
West Avenue area (SM North)
P. Aurora Boulevard Tuazon Boulevard
Ortigas Avenue region (Guadix Drive to Rochester St.)
along Quezon Avenue
Area of Timog Avenue, Kamias Road, and QMart
West Avenue area (SM North)

Quezon Avenue

One of the busiest and most accident-prone stretches of road in the Philippines is this one. In 2020, there were 1,178 car incidents on Quezon Avenue, 254 of which resulted in injuries, and four of which resulted in fatalities, according to the MMDA statistics.

A motorcycle rider recently died after falling from EDSA to the Quezon Avenue tunnel. The rider hit the center island at the intersection of Quezon Avenue and EDSA as he was traveling east on Quezon Avenue towards Quezon Memorial Circle. He then fell into the tunnel and was pronounced dead at the spot. Around three in the morning, this occurred.

Quezon Avenue Incident-Prone Areas

The most accident-prone areas along Quezon Avenue, according to MMDA, are shown below.

Area of Agham Road and BIR Road
Sct. Don A. Roces Ave. Nearby Chuatoco Street (Fisher Mall)
Rodriguez, E. Sr. Area of Ave., Banawe St., and Cordillera St.
Examiner Street – Sgt. Esguerra St.
West Avenue and Timog Avenue area (Delta)

Commonwealth Avenue

Given the enormous magnitude of this 12.4-km, 18-lane highway. Highway crashes are caused by bus drivers who are careless and drive too fast. Accidents are more likely when there aren’t any road signs or designated lanes for bikes and motorcycles.

Due to its distant location, which leads to Quezon City’s northern regions, Commonwealth Avenue used to be affectionately referred to by fans of the television series “Game of Thrones” as “The Wall.”

Although the number of fatal crashes has decreased over the past few years (as a result of the MRT-7 construction project that has shortened the lanes), Commonwealth Avenue still necessitates some degree of caution when traveling along it.

Commonwealth Avenue Incident-Prone Areas

On Commonwealth Avenue, the following places saw the most collisions in 2020:
St. Peter Church is in the Don Antonio region
Elliptical Road to Technohub neighborhood
Sandigan Road (COA) to BF Road Meralco
Area between Tandang Sora and Luzon Avenues
Feria Road, Zuzuarregui Street, and Diliman Preparatory

Please Read: Common Traffic Violations and Fines

Charts for Different Road Casualties

Road Casualties

In 2020, EDSA remained the worst street for pedestrians. More than 250 pedestrians who were using it were either murdered or seriously hurt. The Quirino Highway was close behind with nearly 200 pedestrian fatalities, and it was the only road where pedestrian fatalities outnumbered those of motorists and passengers.

In 2020, Commonwealth Avenue was the most hazardous road for passengers, and it was the only one where passenger fatalities surpassed driver and pedestrian fatalities. Last year, this route saw the death or injury of close to 450 travelers. EDSA and C-5 came in second and third, with over 300 and almost 250 passenger fatalities, respectively.

With nearly 450 drivers killed or injured, C-5 was the street with the most driving fatalities. In addition, this street had the largest proportion of motorist fatalities compared to those of passengers and pedestrians. Drivers made up more than 54% of those killed or injured on C-5.

Dangerous Streets

Combined, the top streets with the highest crash rates resulted in 5,435 fatalities, or 25% of the 21,342 people killed or injured on Metro Manila roadways in 2014. Your chances of being involved in a dangerous accident significantly decrease if you can stay off of these roadways. These streets are all unfortunately challenging to avoid.

They are among the busiest roadways in Metro Manila, are frequently bigger and longer than other roads, and are consequently better policed and trafficked.

The Cities with the Riskiest Roads

Conclusion

Although you can’t predict car accidents, you can prevent them by driving safely. Even though you hear about these instances on the news frequently, the MMDA and other pertinent government organizations are taking steps to assist in reducing them, such as stationing paramedics along most important roads in case of an accident.

However, it is still a good idea to examine yourself and your automobile before a trip. If you’re in an accident-prone location, drive as carefully as you can and pay attention to what you’re doing on the road.

Use motor car insurance to protect your regular road trips.