Holiday Season Sees Surge in Road Traffic Injuries and Fatalities, DOH Reports

The Department of Health (DOH) has disclosed a concerning uptick in road traffic injuries over the holiday period, with 66 additional cases reported by 6 a.m. on Saturday, bringing the total to 350 incidents since December 22. This represents a 23% increase from the previous year’s figures for the same timeframe. Tragically, three individuals lost their lives, with two fatalities attributed to severe head injuries sustained from not wearing helmets while on motorcycles. A significant portion of the cases, 306 in total, were associated with the failure to use essential safety equipment like helmets and seatbelts. Motorcycle accidents were predominant, numbering 239, with 63 of these incidents involving drivers who had been drinking alcohol prior to riding. The DOH has stressed the critical need for adherence to road safety measures, especially during the festive season, which typically sees a spike in road traffic incidents due to heightened travel and holiday festivities.